During a visit to the United States, Blue House National Security Office Director Seo Hoon said that he plans to hold general consultations with the United States on inter-Korean-North Korea relations, including the declaration of an end to the war.
Director Seo met with some correspondents at Ronald Reagan Airport near Washington DC and said, "The communication channels between the two Koreas have been re-established, and I think it is time to check the inter-Korean and North Korea relations at least once and discuss overall." said.
When asked if he could expect a positive response from the US side in relation to the declaration of end of the war, he replied, "The declaration of end of the war will be part of it and we will discuss it together."
Regarding whether or not to discuss the easing of sanctions on North Korea, Seo said, "If denuclearization negotiations go ahead anyway, the issue of sanctions relief should also be discussed."
Regarding inter-Korean dialogue, he said, "Inter-Korean relations have not yet started in earnest. We will discuss such issues in general," he said.
Regarding whether the North Korean issue will be on the agenda at the U.S.-China summit, which was agreed to be held within this year, he said, "I think that the Korean Peninsula issue will of course become one of the main agendas if the U.S.-China summit is held."
Seo is reportedly scheduled to meet with White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
In the consultation, it is expected that a comprehensive discussion will be held on how to open up dialogue between the two Koreas and the U.S. and lead to denuclearization negotiations in a situation where the communication line between the two Koreas has been restored.
In particular, based on the declaration of an end to the Korean War proposed by President Moon Jae-in at the UN General Assembly in New York, it is expected that discussions will be focused on how to resolve the deadlock between the United States and North Korea.
Some are discussing the possibility of an inter-Korean summit during President Moon's term in office or an inter-Korean summit taking place at the Beijing Winter Olympics in February next year.
(Photo = Yonhap News)