Sung Kim: "Cooperation with South Korean Government on North Korea Issues"... Noh Kyu-duk: "Discussing Flexible and Creative Approaches"

Published 23 Aug.2021 11:07(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Affairs at the State Department, who is visiting South Korea, stated on the 23rd that "this is an important time on the Korean Peninsula" and expressed his intention to closely cooperate with the South Korean government in approaches related to North Korea. Noh Kyu-duk, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, said, "We look forward to discussing flexible and creative methods."

On the morning of the same day, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul, before the U.S.-South Korea senior representatives' talks on North Korea, Representative Kim said in his opening remarks, "We will closely cooperate with the South Korean government on all issues related to North Korea." This reiterated the existing U.S. position to respect the agreements made between the two heads of state during the May U.S.-South Korea summit.

Director General Noh stated, "In recent discussions, we agreed on the need to overcome the current situation and make progress," adding, "We look forward to discussing flexible and creative ways to advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula." Although North Korea has opposed the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, causing a deadlock in inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues, this indicates an intention to devise creative methods to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.

During the senior representatives' talks on this day, strategies for resuming dialogue with North Korea and ways to stably manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula are expected to be discussed. Although not directly mentioned, given Director General Noh’s reference to "flexible and creative methods," there is a possibility that humanitarian aid to North Korea, which was discussed in recent U.S.-South Korea foreign ministers' calls and director-level consultations, will also be addressed.

Meanwhile, North Korea fiercely condemned the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises immediately after they began through statements by Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, but has remained silent as the exercises continue up to this day. It is possible that North Korea will decide on more active moves after confirming Representative Kim’s specific stance. North Korea also launched missile provocations after confirming the remarks of former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun during his visit to South Korea on August 20, 2019. After the talks with Director General Noh, Representative Kim will also hold consultations with Igor Morgulov, Russia’s senior representative for North Korea affairs and Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific, who is visiting South Korea. Representative Kim will depart on the 24th.