Park Jin: "Limitations of the Korean Peninsula Peace Process, Policy Change Needed," Holds Close Talks with Sung Kim

[Asia Economy Reporters Inho Yoo and Jieun Lee] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, hinted at a plan to scrap the Moon Jae-in administration's Korean Peninsula Peace Process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He signaled a change in North Korea policy, including increasing pressure to achieve denuclearization of North Korea. On the same day, Park met with Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, who visited South Korea, to discuss measures for responding to North Korea.

On the 18th, as he arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office in Naesudong, Seoul, Park told reporters, "Despite its intentions, the peace process has shown its limitations," adding, "Now is the time for a substantial policy change toward North Korea."

Regarding North Korea's test launch of a new tactical guided missile, which was publicly revealed the day before and hinted at tactical nuclear armament, Park stated, "North Korea's escalation of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula runs counter to peace and stability on the Peninsula."

He emphasized the new government's North Korea policy stance, saying, "We will pursue a balanced policy toward North Korea based on common sense," and added, "We will maintain policy consistency through pressure and persuasion toward North Korea while striving for denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Park also expressed the view that the South Korea-U.S. alliance should be elevated to a comprehensive strategic alliance to resolve issues related to North Korea and the Korean Peninsula.

He said, "Given the serious situation on the Peninsula and the rapidly changing international situation, there is a need for an early South Korea-U.S. summit," and added, "South Korea and the U.S. must prepare close cooperation measures in response to North Korea's currently heightened threats."

He further stated, "The reactivation of the South Korea-U.S. Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) is extremely important for the security of the Korean Peninsula in terms of strengthening the execution of extended deterrence. It is necessary to maintain strong cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. in the dimension of enhancing extended deterrence."

To prepare such North Korea response measures at the South Korea-U.S. alliance level, Park plans to hold close consultations with Sung Kim, who arrived in South Korea this morning.

At Incheon International Airport, Kim told reporters, "I am pleased to return to Seoul to continue close coordination between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the North Korean situation," and added, "I look forward to meeting Roh Kyudok, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, his colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials from other ministries."

During his 4-night, 5-day schedule, Kim will hold a South Korea-U.S. senior-level nuclear talks with Director Roh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at 4 p.m. today. Additionally, Kim will meet with Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kwon Young-se, the nominee for Minister of Unification, and Kim Sung-han, the secretary of the foreign and security division of the transition team, among other members of President-elect Yoon's foreign and security team.

During this visit, South Korea and the U.S. are expected to discuss responses to North Korea's nuclear threats amid the escalating crisis on the Korean Peninsula due to North Korea's recent series of provocations. On the 16th, North Korea test-fired a new tactical guided missile, which it claims holds great significance for 'tactical nuclear deployment,' under the observation of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party. This was the 13th military demonstration this year and was conducted two days before the start of the South Korea-U.S. joint command post exercise.

Jung Sung-jang, director of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, predicted, "North Korea will likely deploy tactical nuclear warheads on the newly launched tactical guided missiles for frontline units," adding, "The need for North Korea to conduct nuclear tests with tactical nuclear warheads is increasing, and the 7th nuclear test by North Korea is highly likely to be a tactical nuclear warhead test."

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