Tokyo's 'Korea-US-Japan North Korea Nuclear Talks', Seoul's 'Korea-China Foreign Ministers Meeting' Shaking Up the Korean Peninsula Diplomacy

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Noh Kyu-duk, head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, departed for Tokyo, Japan on the 12th to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue.

According to diplomatic sources, during this visit to Japan, Head Noh is scheduled to hold consultations with Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and other senior representatives from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan regarding the North Korean nuclear issue.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, the senior representatives from South Korea and Japan will meet, followed by trilateral and bilateral consultations among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan on the 14th. This meeting of the senior representatives from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is the first in three months since their meeting in Seoul on June 21 and the second consultation held this year.

It is expected that the representatives from the three countries will exchange views on humanitarian aid measures for North Korea and signs of reactivation of the Yongbyon nuclear facility.

Additionally, on the 15th, a South Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting will be held in Seoul. Amid intensifying U.S.-China hegemonic competition, attention is focused on the level of cooperation and checks and balances that will be exchanged between the two countries during the South Korea-China meeting. Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet again after five months.

The government is focusing on strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership ahead of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China through the meeting on the 15th.

However, some differences in perspectives between South Korea and China are expected on key issues during this meeting, as China is likely to request the South Korean government's stance on the U.S.-China hegemonic competition.

Furthermore, Minister Wang is highly likely to pay a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in during his visit to South Korea and invite him to the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.

A diplomatic expert said, “Following the trilateral senior representatives’ consultation on the North Korean nuclear issue in Tokyo after three months, and the South Korea-China foreign ministers’ meeting in Seoul, various issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula will be discussed,” adding, “Attention is focused on humanitarian cooperation measures for North Korea and the government’s efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.