Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, seen here during a Jan. 22 meeting of the South-North Korea Exchanges and Cooperation Support Association, said Monday that Seoul is reviewing the dispatch of a special envoy to help facilitate U.S.-North Korea talks. Photo by Yonhap
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Monday the government is reviewing sending a special envoy to neighboring countries to help facilitate dialogue between the United States and North Korea.
“(The unification ministry) emphasized the need during its policy briefing to the president, and a review is currently under way,” Chung told reporters when asked whether the dispatch of a special envoy was being considered.
During the briefing to President Lee Jae Myung last month, Chung proposed appointing an envoy for “peace on the Korean Peninsula” to mobilize relevant countries’ help in reopening U.S.-North Korea talks, as well as inter-Korean dialogue.
Chung remarks came after the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported Monday that Chung had been appointed as a Korean Peninsula peace envoy and would travel to China and then the U.S.
Chung did not confirm the news report. He instead noted that who should serve as the peace envoy was not an urgent issue, although he added that he is willing to take on the role if entrusted.
The government has said the period leading up to U.S. President Donald Trump‘s planned trip to China in April will be critical to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, depending on whether Trump secures talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho also said at a press briefing that the unification ministry is reviewing the appointment of a Korean Peninsula peace envoy with other relevant government agencies, without disclosing other details.
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