Biden to Visit Korea from 20th to 22nd, Plans to Meet Moon
Jung Se-hyun: "Considering Special Envoy for North Korea"... Kwon Young-se: "Review Possible"
"Biden and Moon Serving Concurrent Terms... Special Envoy Not Suitable," Analysis
On May 21, 2021 (local time), President Moon Jae-in, who visited the United States, is greeting U.S. President Joe Biden as he moves to the podium to deliver a speech at the Korean War Medal of Honor ceremony held in the East Room of the White House. / Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] As U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet former President Moon Jae-in during his visit to South Korea from the 20th to the 22nd, the background of this meeting is drawing attention. Some speculate that in the current tense phase of inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations, former President Moon might be proposed to play a role such as a 'special envoy for North Korea.' However, experts view Moon's potential role positively but believe the possibility of him being appointed as a special envoy is low.
President Biden will visit South Korea for a two-night, three-day trip starting on the 20th. On the following day, the 21st, he is scheduled to hold a summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol at the presidential office building in Yongsan, Seoul.
On the last day, the 22nd, a meeting with former President Moon is planned in Seoul. It is known that this meeting was requested by President Biden's side. Analysts suggest that this is because they expect former President Moon to play a role in improving the strained inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations and in resuming dialogue.
Within political circles, the possibility of former President Moon serving as a special envoy for North Korea has also been raised. Former Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 16th and said, "President Biden, who is busy, is not meeting former President Moon just out of friendship because they met once before. Politicians do not act like that. They meet because they are useful," referring to the possibility of Moon serving as a special envoy.
Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se also stated that the option of requesting former President Moon to serve as a special envoy for North Korea could be considered. During his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 12th, then-candidate Kwon said, "Our country values people highly, and it is important for experienced individuals to serve the nation. The same applies to inter-Korean relations," adding, "(Sending former President Moon as a special envoy for North Korea) is definitely worth considering."
On the other hand, there are opinions that the dispatch of former President Moon as a special envoy is unlikely. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon analyzed, "President Biden and former President Moon served their presidential terms together as allies. (Sending him as a special envoy) would not be appropriate as a matter of protocol," and added, "Since former President Moon has observed the North Korea-U.S. summits, it seems more likely that he will be consulted for advice on future relations with North Korea."
Professor Lee Jun-han of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Incheon National University said, "I think the role of former President Moon is quite possible. However, rather than as a special envoy, he is likely to play some level of role as a messenger, either officially or unofficially."
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