"Kim Jong-un Aiming to Achieve Goals Through Nuclear Means, Only Faces Failures (Comprehensive)"

Trilateral North Korea Nuclear Envoys from Korea, US, and Japan Discuss North Korea Response Measures in Japan
"North Korea Focused on Nuclear Development, Self-Reliance Is a Futile Hope"
Seong Kim: "Actively Engaged in Repatriating US Soldiers Who Defected to North Korea"

Senior representatives on North Korea's nuclear issue from South Korea, the United States, and Japan criticized North Korea's obsession with nuclear development and discussed measures to cut off its 'illegal funding sources.' In particular, the U.S. side expressed its intention to actively engage in efforts to repatriate U.S. soldier Travis King, who defected to North Korea without authorization.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 20th, Kim Gun, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office for Peace and Security Affairs on the Korean Peninsula, Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and Takehiro Funakoshi, Director of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs during the trilateral senior representatives' meeting held in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. This face-to-face meeting among the three countries' representatives was the first in about three months since the last one in Seoul in April.

The senior representatives for North Korea nuclear issues from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held consultations on the 20th in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, to discuss measures to prevent North Korea's nuclear development. From left to right: Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea at the State Department; Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; and Kim Gun, Director-General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
[Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Kim, the South Korean senior representative on North Korea's nuclear issue, stated in his opening remarks, "It has been about a year since the first trilateral senior representatives' meeting on North Korea's nuclear issue, and during this period, Kim Jong-un has continuously failed to achieve key objectives in the economy and security," adding, "simply put, (North Korea) has reached a 'dead end.'" Kim assessed that although Kim Jong-un has continued to pursue 'self-reliance,' he is instead facing economic collapse. He pointed out that scarce resources have been squandered on nuclear and missile programs. In particular, he criticized North Korea's refusal of humanitarian aid as a futile attempt to sustain an unfounded belief in self-reliance.

Furthermore, Kim emphasized, "North Korea's obsession with nuclear weapons and missiles has only undermined its own security," and "Kim Jong-un may have thought that by escalating nuclear threats he could gain respect and achieve his goals, but South Korea and the U.S. have offered no concessions and instead have further strengthened their alliance through the 'Washington Declaration.'" He continued, "North Korea repeatedly denied the authority of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and sought excuses for its illegal actions, but to no avail," diagnosing that "the recent statement by Kim Yo-jong reflects North Korea's anxiety in the face of the international community's strong resolve."

On the 20th, Kim Gun, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke at the South Korea-U.S.-Japan senior officials' meeting on North Korea's nuclear issue held in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
[Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

He particularly praised the significance of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), launched in Seoul on the 17th, warning that North Korea's nuclear development only strengthens the resolve of South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and the international community to achieve 'complete denuclearization.' Kim stated, "South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will cut off illegal funding sources for North Korea's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs," adding, "Priorities include repatriating overseas workers and eradicating malicious cyber activities." Nevertheless, Kim emphasized that "the door to dialogue remains open" and highlighted that "encouraging China's constructive role, given its special influence and responsibility, is also an important topic."

From next year, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will simultaneously serve as members of the United Nations Security Council. The three countries plan to closely cooperate on North Korean human rights issues on the UN stage based on their trilateral coordination. Kim will also hold bilateral consultations with Director Funakoshi on the day and with Representative Sung Kim on the 21st.

U.S.: "Actively Engaged in Repatriating U.S. Soldier Who Defected to North Korea"

Panmunjom Joint Security Area (JSA)

U.S. Special Representative Sung Kim mentioned the case of U.S. soldier Travis King, who defected to North Korea without authorization while touring the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom, during his opening remarks. He said, "The United States is making efforts to confirm King's status," and "We are actively engaged in ensuring his safety and repatriation."

According to the United Nations Command, Private King crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korea on the 18th while touring the JSA among foreign tourists. This unexpected incident occurred on the day the U.S.-South Korea NCG was launched and at a time when extended deterrence against North Korea was heightened to its maximum level, leading to speculation that the U.S. position could become complicated.

Private King is known to have been involved in an incident last September at a club in Seoul where, after drinking, he punched a Korean man in the face during an altercation. He was charged with repeatedly kicking the door of a patrol car that responded to the incident, damaging it. Subsequently, in February this year, he was fined 5 million won by the Seoul Western District Court and was detained for 48 days performing labor in a detention facility due to non-payment of the fine.

Meanwhile, opinions differ on whether the defection of the U.S. soldier to North Korea will become a 'diplomatic headache' or an 'opportunity for North Korea-U.S. contact.' If Private King wishes to return to the U.S., there is speculation that a negotiation table for his 'humanitarian repatriation' could be established between North Korea and the U.S. However, it is reported that North Korea has not responded to any contact attempts by U.S. authorities.

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