Pres. Moon to send special envoy team to N. Korea Wednesday

South Korean President Moon Jae-in decided to send a special envoy team on a one-day visit to North Korea this Wednesday, led by Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office, including National Intelligence Service chief Seo Hoon and other three officials. With Washington’s concerns over dispatching special envoys to the North, President Moon intends to send working-level officials who can coordinate preparations for the upcoming inter-Korean summit and mediate negotiations for denuclearization.

It is seen that the Korean special envoy team was carefully organized to facilitate following talks with the United States as the Trump administration has constantly expressed concerns over the developments in the inter-Korean relations. The Korean special envoys are to confirm‎ a schedule for the expected inter-Korean summit, and deliver President Moon’s letter to the North Korean leadership as part of their efforts to mediate denuclearization negotiations. The South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae is considering dispatching Chung Eui-yong as a special envoy to the United States, following the North Korea envoys’ comeback.

Meanwhile, Voice of America reported on Saturday (local time) about the U.S. State Department’s concerns that progress in the two Koreas’ relations as well as denuclearization should go hand in hand.


weappon@donga.com