-
≡ S. Korea, China Diplomats Talk Cooperation Ahead Of Trilateral Meeting
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has held talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi ahead of a trilateral meeting to include Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
Kang arrived in Beijing on Tuesday and met with Wang for an hour to discuss regional issues, including North Korea.
Wang expressed hope for a possible summit of the leaders of China, South Korea and Japan, saying the three sides should cooperate to enhance trilateral relations for peace and stability in the region.
The three-way meeting set to open this morning will be the first such gathering since August 2016.
It comes at a delicate time when Seoul is mulling whether to renew a bilateral military intelligence-sharing accord with Tokyo amid a deepening trade and diplomatic row.
The deadline for a decision on the pact is set for this Saturday.
Kang and Kono will also hold separate bilateral talks this afternoon to try and work out their countries' dispute.■[2019.08.21]
-
≡ Top Nuclear Envoys Of S. Korea, US Set To Discuss N. Korea Issue
Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and his U.S. counterpart Stephen Biegun will discuss cooperation on North Korea.
The U.S. special representative for North Korea arrived in Seoul yesterday after a two-day stop in Japan.
Today, the two sides are expected to review ways to ensure a swift resumption of working-level talks between the U.S. and North Korea that can lead to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and real progress for establishing permanent peace.
There is a possibility Biegun will meet with other top Korean officials, including those at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
He could also use his trip to urge trilateral cooperation with Japan to deter North Korea's nuclear threats despite an ongoing trade dispute between the United States' two Asian allies.■
[2019.08.21]
-
≡ Pompeo Calls On N. Korean Leader To Return To Nuclear Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has voiced hopes North Korea will return to negotiations to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
In an interview with CBS on Tuesday, Pompeo said the two sides have not gotten back to the table as quickly as the U.S. had wanted but Washington has been clear about its position.
He added that he knows there will be bumps along the way.
Pompeo's remarks come as Washington's top nuclear envoy Stephen Biegun is in Seoul to meet with South Korean officials over denuclearization efforts.
Speculation has risen that Biegun may also travel to North Korea during his three-day stay in Seoul.■
[2019.08.21]