Yomiuri: "US Vegan Tried to Deliver Trump's Message to North Korea During Visit to Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, is reportedly planning to visit South Korea soon to deliver a message from U.S. President Donald Trump to North Korea, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 1st.

Yomiuri cited sources involved in trilateral consultations between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, stating that Biegun may visit South Korea as early as the beginning of this month and attempt contact with North Korea at Panmunjom through South Korea's mediation to deliver President Trump's message. Although the exact content of the message Trump intends to convey to North Korea is unclear, Yomiuri reported that it is likely to urge restraint.

Yomiuri also reported that when Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Special Representative Biegun in the U.S. last month, he appeared to request recognition of individual tourism to Mount Kumgang that does not violate UN Security Council resolutions or U.S. sanctions against North Korea. It is expected that during Biegun's upcoming visit, South Korea will be asked not to loosen its cooperation stance with the U.S. or approach North Korea too closely.

It is reported that Special Representative Biegun is planning to visit South Korea as early as this month or, at the latest, after August. If the visit takes place, it will be the first since December last year. The two countries are reportedly seriously considering a plan for Biegun to visit South Korea for a 2-night, 3-day schedule starting on the 7th of this month.