Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik: "Kim Jongun's China Visit Known in Advance, Influenced by South Korea-U.S. Summit"

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff, Press Briefing on August 28
"Dialogue Channels Between South and North Korea Are Always Open"

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, is holding a press conference on the 19th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 28, Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, stated regarding North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jongun's visit to China, "The government was aware of this schedule in advance."

At a press conference held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan that day, Chief of Staff Kang explained, "We were informed through relevant agencies and received a report that the announcement would be made today."

Chief of Staff Kang said, "We hope that China's relations will contribute to denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "I would like to reiterate that the dialogue channel between South and North Korea is always open." In relation to this, Presidential Office spokesperson Kang Yujeong added, "This means that we are always willing to engage in dialogue with North Korea and are closely monitoring developments in the North."

Kang further stated, "The South Korea-U.S. summit is also influenced by these factors," and added, "We can interpret North Korea's recent moves as an extension of the positive developments we have achieved." This suggests that as South Korea, the United States, and Japan have strengthened their alliance through summits, Chairman Kim is seeking closer ties with China and Russia.

In response to a question about whether Chairman Kim would be invited to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Chief of Staff Kang said, "It is not at all the stage to specify a time." However, he emphasized, "At the very least, the U.S. President has shown a willingness to engage in dialogue with Chairman Kim, and the fact that a meeting was not ruled out will help keep channels open and facilitate dialogue between South and North Korea."

Meanwhile, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chairman Kim is scheduled to attend the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, which will be held in Beijing on September 3.