Sung Kim Visits Korea on 23rd... Consults with Director General Noh Kyu-duk on Korean Peninsula Issues on 24th (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea at the State Department, will visit South Korea on the 23rd for consultations with the South Korea-U.S. chief nuclear envoys.

After arriving, Representative Kim will meet with Noh Kyu-duk, Director General of the South Korea Peace Negotiations Office, on the 24th to discuss key issues related to the Korean Peninsula, including the North Korean nuclear issue. Originally, Kim was scheduled to arrive on the 22nd and meet with Director Noh on the 23rd, but his arrival was delayed by a day, postponing the schedule.

This marks their first meeting in about six days since gathering in Washington D.C., USA, on the 18th (local time), and attention is focused on whether discussions on the "Declaration of the End of the War," proposed by President Moon Jae-in, will make progress during this consultation.

Our side views the Declaration of the End of the War as an opportunity to open South-North-U.S. dialogue based on mutual trust and has been persuading the U.S. on this issue through various levels of consultation. In previous talks, Representative Kim and Director Noh devoted considerable time to discussing the declaration, and Kim expressed that he "looks forward to continuing discussions on the Declaration of the End of the War." The U.S. side is conducting internal reviews on the impact of the declaration, and it is possible that Representative Kim will convey the results of this review during his visit.

Regarding the new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) North Korea launched on the 19th, discussions between the two countries are also expected to cover North Korea's intentions and the potential impact on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Representative Kim, who also serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, will depart for Indonesia after this consultation.