Presidential Office on North Korean Nuclear Interim Measures Rumor: "US Senior Officials Confirm No Intermediate Stage"

Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office, said about the relationship between South Korea and Russia, "If it normalizes to the state before the Ukraine war, the Korea-Russia relationship can also be restored."

Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Jang, who served as the first ambassador to Russia under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, explained this during a special interview commemorating the 1000th episode of KBS 1TV's 'Window on North and South' broadcast on the 27th, saying, "Ultimately, Russia itself knows well with whom it should cooperate between North and South Korea."

Regarding the possibility of a key 'deal' between Russia and North Korea if Russian President Vladimir Putin visits North Korea within this year, Jang said, "There are parts of Russia-North Korea military cooperation that we are particularly concerned about, and Russia knows this. There has been communication between the two sides," adding, "There are things that Russia does not want us to do, and we are aware of those as well."

He continued, "Through a balance of concerns, both sides have leverage over each other," emphasizing, "I hope Russia maintains this balance well."

On North Korea-China relations, he said, "This year marks the 75th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations, and while there seems to be some approach, it doesn't feel like everything fits perfectly," adding, "We are also paying some attention to that."

He also explained, "It is designated as the Year of North Korea-China Friendship, so some exchanges are expected to a certain extent," but noted, "However, the resumption of Chinese tourists visiting North Korea or the complete reopening of the border has not happened yet, and some restrictions remain."

Jang analyzed that although relations between North Korea and Russia, and North Korea and China are progressing, there are differing interests in the context of the Ukraine war, saying, "The current situation shows the intersection of Russia-North Korea relations and North Korea-China relations, but it is not a fully formed Russia-North Korea-China alliance."

He criticized those who say South Korea pursues a "pro-US-Japan biased diplomacy," stating, "Some people occasionally say this about us, but it ignores the difference between the international order landscape over the past 30 years since the post-Cold War era and the recent changes in the international order."

Regarding the mention of a 'middle step' in the US, which involves exchanging North Korea's nuclear freeze for sanctions relief, Jang said, "I have confirmed multiple times with many high-ranking US officials that there is no such 'middle step,'" adding, "We are not greatly concerned about that issue."

On Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's efforts to hold a summit with North Korea, he said, "Japan-North Korea dialogue can play a constructive role in the North Korean nuclear issue and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, so I naturally support it."