Seoul, 25 August 2021 (TDI): Washington’s special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim met with his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu-duk to discuss efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea and to maintain close cooperation with the South Korean government on all issues related to North Korea. Kim arrived in Seoul on Saturday, August 21 for a four-day visit.
On Monday, Kim expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the South Korean government at this important time. He said that The United States supports the efforts to improve ties between the two Koreas and remains open to direct talks with Pyongyang. The two also discussed possible humanitarian aid to North Korea.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, previously warned that North Korea would take action to respond to the joint military exercises. Special Envoy Kim responded to Pyongyang’s threats over the joint military exercises that The United States does not have hostile intent toward North Korea and it is purely defensive in nature and supports the security of both our countries.
There has been silence in North Korea when the nine-day South Korea-US joint military exercise began on August 16. The media fears the country could conduct a missile test or take other actions to underscore its disapproval.
Moreover, Noh and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov also agreed to re-engage dialogue and negotiate permanent denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula.
This is Kim’s second visit to Seoul as a special envoy for North Korea, after having an in-person meeting with his South Korean counterparts in June to introduce the Biden administration’s North Korea policies and deliver messages to his counterparts in South Korea and North Korea. However, North Korea has kept accusing both Washington and Seoul of preparing for another Korean War by conducting military exercises. To the renewed outreach from Washington, Pyongyang has not yet responded.
