Ministry of Unification Meets with US Special Representative for North Korea to Express 'Independent Approach to Inter-Korean Relations'

Choi Young-jun, Director of Unification Policy Office, Meets with US Deputy Assistant Secretary Alex Wong
"Explained North Korea Policy Direction Including President Moon's New Year's Address"
Likely Discussed Promotion of Individual Tourism to North Korea and Cooperation in Border Areas

President Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are shaking hands across the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on April 27, 2018.

The Ministry of Unification, the main government agency in charge of inter-Korean relations, expressed its commitment to an independent approach to inter-Korean relations during talks on the 11th with senior U.S. State Department officials visiting South Korea. It appears that the South Korean government conveyed its active intention to promote inter-Korean cooperation, including individual tourism to North Korea and the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

On the day, the Ministry of Unification stated, "Choi Young-jun, Director of the Unification Policy Office, held a meeting at 2 p.m. on the 11th with Alex Wong, U.S. State Department Special Representative for North Korea Policy," adding, "Both sides exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue close cooperation for denuclearization and peace settlement on the Peninsula."

The Ministry emphasized, "Our side explained the government's direction on North Korea policy following the President's New Year's address." This can be interpreted as emphasizing to the U.S. side the position on the 'independent breakthrough' line in inter-Korean relations declared by President Moon Jae-in in his New Year's speech this year.

Amid North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's declaration of a 'frontline breakthrough' policy this year, signaling a prolonged deadlock in North Korea-U.S. talks, President Moon effectively formalized the 'independent breakthrough' approach through his New Year's address and press conference. This is the government's drastic measure to drive North Korea-U.S. dialogue forward through independent progress in inter-Korean relations, stepping outside the ironclad framework of South Korea-U.S. cooperation.

Since then, the government has been actively reviewing various inter-Korean cooperation plans such as individual tourism to North Korea and connecting railroads and roads between the two Koreas. The Ministry of Unification reportedly provided Special Representative Wong with detailed explanations of the government's inter-Korean cooperation plans and requested active support from the U.S. side.

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Seoul Government Complex on the 10th, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex project is an important means for improving inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the government holds the position that its resumption is absolutely necessary," adding, "We will work with the international community to create conditions for the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

Spokesperson Yeo also emphasized that individual tourism to North Korea is not a matter of cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. He said, "The issue of individual tourism to North Korea has consistently been stated by the government as not a matter of cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.," and "I understand that the government explains its position to the U.S. side for coordination purposes."

However, specific reactions from the U.S. side during the meeting were not disclosed. The Ministry of Unification only stated that the U.S. side "expressed commitment to implementing the Singapore Agreement and emphasized a diplomatic solution" during the talks.

Alex Wong, U.S. Department of State Special Representative for North Korea, arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th for the Korea-U.S. Working Group meeting.

Meanwhile, on the morning of the 10th, Special Representative Wong held a working-level meeting with Lee Dong-ryul, Director of the Peace Diplomacy Planning Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul to coordinate issues related to denuclearization, inter-Korean relations, and North Korea sanctions.

Through this consultation, the government reportedly explained that the inter-Korean railroad and road connection projects are tangible projects that can demonstrate a bright future North Korea could achieve upon denuclearization, and that the demilitarized zone (DMZ) peace zone is being pursued as part of practical security guarantees.

Regarding individual tourism to North Korea, it was also emphasized that it is planned to be prioritized for humanitarian purposes, focusing on displaced persons and separated families.