Sung Kim Meets with New Government Officials... Likely to Discuss North Korea Response

Published 20 Apr.2022 09:36(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 for a 4-night, 5-day trip, is expected to hold a series of meetings with new government officials starting with a meeting with Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the 20th.

Amid high possibilities of imminent military provocations by North Korea, discussions are expected to focus on South Korea-U.S. joint responses to North Korea.

On the morning of the 20th, Representative Kim will meet with nominee Park to discuss cooperation measures between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the North Korean nuclear threat.

On the morning of the 21st, he will meet with nominee Kwon Young-se, Minister of Unification. He is also reported to meet with Kim Sung-han, the incoming administration’s National Security Office chief candidate and foreign and security affairs coordinator of the transition team, as well as Cho Tae-yong, a member of the People Power Party who is a candidate for ambassador to the U.S.

During these meetings with new government officials, Representative Kim will discuss responses to North Korea and ways to bring North Korea to dialogue.

North Korea is preparing a large-scale military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (April 25). According to an analysis of satellite images taken on the 17th by the satellite imagery service "Planet Labs" by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the same day, it is estimated that more than 12,000 troops have gathered at the Mirim Airfield training ground in Pyongyang.

There is also speculation that the parade may showcase new intermediate- and short-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying multiple warheads, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) equipped with small nuclear warheads.

Additionally, signs of continuous restoration of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site by North Korea have been detected, leading to speculation that nuclear testing may resume soon.

Meanwhile, on the 19th, Representative Kim paid courtesy visits to Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Minister of Unification Lee In-young, holding meetings of a 'farewell' nature to share the situation on the Korean Peninsula.