Candidate Kwon Young-se meets with Sung Kim: "Comply with North Korea sanctions while providing humanitarian aid"

Sung Kim Meets with Transition Team's Kim Seong-han to Discuss North Korean Nuclear Issue

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the morning of the 21st, Kwon Young-se, the nominee for Minister of Unification, met with Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and shared the direction of the next administration's North Korea policy.

Nominee Kwon emphasized that the South Korea-U.S. diplomatic and security teams are a 'one team' and conveyed the position that the South Korea-U.S. relationship will improve further under the next administration.

He also expressed the expectation that if the South Korea-U.S. alliance becomes stronger, the scope of activities in North Korea policy will expand, and as Minister of Unification, he hopes to lead North Korea policy to bring about improvements in inter-Korean relations and progress in denuclearization.

Nominee Kwon stated that although North Korea is not showing interest in improving relations with anyone, if the situation regarding COVID-19 and other circumstances improve, and if we identify what North Korea genuinely wants and propose dialogue, it could create a breakthrough in the current situation.

He also mentioned that while strictly adhering to international sanctions against North Korea, humanitarian support such as COVID-19 response should be considered as long as it does not violate those sanctions.

In response, Representative Kim expressed hope for more opportunities for communication in the future and a desire to cooperate closely.

Prior to meeting with nominee Kwon on the same day, Representative Kim also held a private breakfast meeting with Kim Seong-han, the secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Security Subcommittee of the Transition Committee, to discuss issues including the North Korean nuclear problem.

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