National Security Chief: "Discussing Alternatives with the U.S."
Suk Rak Wi, Director of the National Security Office, is briefing on President Lee Jae-myung's schedule for the UN General Assembly trip at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
Wi Sukrak, Director of the National Security Office, stated on the 27th that the 350 billion dollar U.S. investment fund "cannot be paid in cash."
Appearing on Channel A that day, Director Wi addressed U.S. President Donald Trump's remark about a "350 billion dollar advance payment," clarifying, "This is not a matter of negotiation tactics, but rather an objective and realistic assessment that it is beyond what we can manage."
Director Wi explained, "This is something that anyone in the Republic of Korea would acknowledge," adding, "Regardless of political affiliation, no one can make such a payment, which is why we are trying to discuss and coordinate alternatives." He further commented, "A possible milestone could be the next summit meeting," and added, "We are working toward the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit as an opportunity."
However, regarding the possibility of a meeting between President Trump and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un at APEC, he said, "At this point, it remains purely in the realm of imagination," and firmly stated, "There are no signs or likelihood of that happening yet."
Meanwhile, Director Wi also addressed President Lee's comprehensive peace vision for the Korean Peninsula, the 'END Initiative,' presented during his keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing, "Giving up denuclearization is absolutely not the case." END stands for Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization. In response to criticism from the opposition party questioning whether denuclearization has been abandoned, Director Wi countered, "We have never given up on denuclearization, nor do we intend to."
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