Sung Kim, "Continue Discussing an End-of-War Declaration on the Korean Peninsula" along with Humanitarian Assistance for North Korea

[경향신문]

U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim (left) makes a statement after a meeting with Ambassador Noh Duk-kyu, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at the U.S. State Department on October 18. Washington D.C. / AP Yonhap News

The U.S. special representative for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ambassador Sung Kim met with Ambassador Noh Duk-kyu, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs on October 18 (local time) and discussed the end-of-war declaration and expressed his wishes to continue discussing the issue in the future. Reportedly, the two representatives also examined a wide range of ideas on engaging with the North, including humanitarian cooperation with North Korea.

This day, Kim shared his thoughts with reporters after a talk between the South Korea-United States senior representatives on the North Korean nuclear issue with Ambassador Noh at the State Department in Washington D.C. He mentioned that the two men discussed a declaration to end the Korean War and said that he wished to continue the discussions on this issue, as well as other issues of mutual interest, in Seoul later this week. Noh said, “This has set an example of in-depth discussions on the end-of-war declaration,” and added, “After a series of discussions, I believe the U.S. now has a deeper understanding of our idea of the declaration.”

Noh reaffirmed the U.S. position, that they are prepared to cooperate with North Korea to respond to areas posing humanitarian concerns and to support humanitarian assistance for North Korea. Noh said, “We discussed a wide range of ideas to engage with North Korea including joint humanitarian assistance projects by South Korea and the U.S. to quickly restart dialogue and diplomacy (with the North) along with meaningful measures to build trust.”

This day, Kim said the U.S reaffirmed a strong commitment to closely cooperate with South Korea and Japan for the complete denuclearization of and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. He also said the U.S. would promote diplomacy with North Korea for actual progress toward this goal and that the U.S. continued to reach out to resume dialogue with the North.

Kim stressed, “Our intent remains the same. We harbor no hostile intent toward the DPRK and we are open to meeting without preconditions.” He also emphasized the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea, the advocacy of the human rights of North Korean citizens, and the swift resolution of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

The two ambassadors are scheduled to take part in a meeting of senior representatives on the North Korean nuclear issue by South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, along with Takehiro Funakoshi, director general for Asian and Oceanian affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of October 19 (local time).