Park Jin, "US-ROK Summit Discusses North Korea COVID-19 Quarantine Support Issues"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated that there is a possibility that the issue of quarantine support in response to the spread of COVID-19 in North Korea will be discussed at the upcoming South Korea-US summit scheduled for the 21st.

Minister Park made this remark on the 17th during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in response to a related question from Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party.

Minister Park also explained that during a video call with US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on the 13th of this month, the two sides discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the spread of COVID-19 in North Korea and the need for humanitarian aid between South Korea and the US.

Minister Park also expressed willingness to negotiate with the US for sanctions exemptions on items necessary for COVID-19 support to North Korea.

He said, “If it is judged that humanitarian aid to North Korea is necessary, we will consult with the US to ensure that our support to North Korea can proceed smoothly accordingly,” adding, “For items subject to sanctions, we will conduct consultations to apply for sanctions exemptions on a case-by-case basis.”

Meanwhile, Minister Park said regarding the official agenda of this South Korea-US summit, “We expect that issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, economic security, and cooperation to establish the newly emerging Indo-Pacific regional order will be discussed.”

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