Sung Kim Meets with Jeong Eui-yong and Lee In-young... "Coordinating US-ROK Response to North Korean Provocations" (Comprehensive)

Two Ministers Retiring Next Month Have a 'Farewell' Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Inho Yoo and Jieun Lee] Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, currently visiting South Korea on a 4-night, 5-day trip, met sequentially on the 19th with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Unification Minister Lee In-young to discuss measures for responding to North Korea. This meeting served as a 'farewell' with the two ministers who will retire in line with the inauguration of the new government next month.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building that morning, Minister Chung, who met with Representative Kim, said, "During the current administration's term, close cooperation and communication between South Korea and the U.S. on the Korean Peninsula issues have been maintained," adding, "Going forward, through continuous progress in the 'Korean Peninsula Peace Process,' peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula must be preserved."

Minister Chung also referred to the recent serious situation on the Korean Peninsula, stating, "Under the firm ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and based on seamless cooperation between the two countries, let us closely cooperate to ensure that North Korea refrains from further aggravating actions and returns to dialogue."

In response, Representative Kim expressed agreement, saying, "We must firmly respond to North Korea's provocations through close ROK-U.S. cooperation," reaffirming the U.S. position that "America remains open to unconditional dialogue with North Korea."

In the afternoon, Representative Kim visited the Ministry of Unification to meet Minister Lee and expressed gratitude for their cooperation so far. He mentioned being open to dialogue and diplomacy for engagement with North Korea, urging, "Let us respond to North Korea's provocations through close coordination and communication between South Korea and the U.S."

Minister Lee emphasized, "Even during the government transition period, close policy coordination between the two countries must continue," stressing the need for both countries to continuously seek diplomatic solutions that lead North Korea to halt its tension-raising actions and promote stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Before meeting Minister Lee, Representative Kim also met with Vice Minister Choi Young-jun of the Ministry of Unification to share views on the recent situation and confirmed the continuation of policy coordination between both sides.

Having arrived in South Korea the previous day, Representative Kim held consultations with Roh Kyu-duk, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, on the first day of his visit regarding the ROK-U.S. senior nuclear negotiators' talks. On the 20th, he is scheduled to meet with new government officials, including Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin.

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