Park Su-hyun: "We will improve inter-Korean relations by laying 'stepping stones'... Summit meetings are one of them"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Su-hyun, Blue House Chief of Communication, stated regarding the improvement of inter-Korean relations that "we will improve by laying stepping stones that can be crossed," and that the inter-Korean summit could also be one of those stepping stones.

On the morning of the 28th, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "(The improvement of inter-Korean relations) will be a path that overcomes the obstacles that may arise between the two countries by laying feasible stepping stones that can be crossed."

When asked about the possibility of an inter-Korean summit during President Moon Jae-in's term, he said, "It would be good if that happens, but the lowest level is the restoration of communication lines," adding, "As we cross the stream in the future, stepping stones will be needed and will be laid."

The term stepping stones seems to refer to events or attempts to improve inter-Korean relations. Park said, "Stepping stones could be the hotline between the two leaders, and the inter-Korean summit is also one of the stepping stones," adding, "The ultimate goal is to reach the Korean Peninsula peace process and denuclearization." He emphasized that the inter-Korean video conference system being promoted by the government is also one of the stepping stones.

Regarding mentions of quarantine cooperation or livelihood support as means to restore relations, he said, "These are issues to be discussed going forward," and added, "The COVID-19 issue between the two Koreas is definitely a current issue."

As for the decisive factor in restoring communication lines, he said, "The start of exchanging letters was decisive," and added, "April marked the 3rd anniversary of the Panmunjom summit, and both North Korea and us probably thought that continuing a long-term cutoff was undesirable for both sides."

Regarding the opposition's demand for an apology from President Moon over the re-imprisonment of Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, he responded, "There is no position to disclose."