Lee Do-hoon Head of Headquarters "In-depth discussion on ways to open dialogue"... Biegun "If the North appoints an authorized negotiation counterpart, we will also prepare for talks"
Biegun has not requested contact with the North during this visit to Korea
Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Policy, are leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul on the morning of the 8th after concluding their talks and moving to the press conference venue. Photo by Joint Press Corps
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, who began his official visit to Korea on the 8th, stated that he strongly supports the South Korean government's efforts for inter-Korean cooperation.
After holding talks with Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, Deputy Secretary Biegun told reporters, "We believe that inter-Korean cooperation plays an important role in creating a more stable environment on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "We fully support the South Korean government’s efforts to promote inter-Korean cooperation and expect to provide full support to advance goals with North Korea in this regard."
This is interpreted as emphasizing that he does not negatively evaluate the inter-Korean cooperation projects that President Moon Jae-in announced he would accelerate this year.
Furthermore, he dismissed the possibility of contact with North Korea during this visit. Deputy Secretary Biegun said, referring to reports about potential contact with North Korea, "We did not request a visit to North Korea, and this visit is to meet with our allies," adding, "I do not take orders from Choe Son-hui, North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister, or John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor."
Deputy Secretary Biegun particularly stated that if North Korea is ready, dialogue can take place. He said, "If Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea is prepared to negotiate and has an authorized counterpart ready, we will immediately begin preparations as well."
Regarding past meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un, he emphasized, "I am working based on the talks that President Trump and Chairman Kim have held over the past two years," adding, "Their vision is peace, denuclearization, and a brighter future for the Korean Peninsula."
After the talks, Director Lee said that they had in-depth discussions on ways to open the door to dialogue as soon as possible. He said, "We had in-depth discussions on ways to open the door to dialogue in light of the current situation," adding, "We emphasized that dialogue and negotiation are the only methods and that both countries must make every effort for this."
He also confirmed that the U.S. holds a flexible stance toward dialogue with North Korea. Director Lee said, "Deputy Secretary Biegun reaffirmed that he has a flexible stance to achieve a balanced agreement when resuming talks with North Korea and said he would continue related efforts," adding, "Under this stance, we agreed to maintain seamless cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. and to communicate closely with neighboring countries such as China, Japan, Russia, and the international community."
Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Policy, are exchanging a non-contact handshake ahead of their meeting on the morning of the 8th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps
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