U.S. special envoy for North Korea in South Korea for first diplomatic trip
- 6 years ago
U.S. President Donald Trump's new point-man on North Korea is in South Korea on his maiden diplomatic trip.
Stephen Biegun's visit to Seoul comes at an important time as many anticipate positive developments in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. from here on in.
Lee Ji-won reports.
Washington's Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun has arrived in South Korea on Monday afternoon for his first diplomatic trip.
"I'm very much looking forward to talking to our South Korean hosts about how we can make progress on denuclearization and bringing stable peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Biegun began his three day trip with a welcome dinner with his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon, the representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs.
On Tuesday morning, Biegun will make an official visit to South Korea's Foreign Affairs Ministry, where he will first meet Minister Kang Kyung-wha briefly, and then meet again with his nuclear talks counterpart Lee.
The South Korean diplomats are expected to fill in Biegun on the latest developments, including the results of the special envoys' trip to Pyeongyang last week.
Biegun's visit comes at a crunch time as South Korea's latest push for the North's denuclearization seems to be gaining traction.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un mentioned achieving denuclearization within U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, which ends in 2021.
Amid such careful optimism, many are hopeful that Biegun's trip to the South may also touch on rescheduling U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyeongyang, which was canceled a few weeks ago as President Trump did not think it would be a success.
During his stay, Biegun is also expected to visit South Korea's top office of Cheongwadae as well as the unification ministry, before traveling to Beijing and Tokyo.
Biegun's position had been left vacant since Joseph Yun left office earlier in February, and many are hopeful that the new appointment can help North Korea-U.S. talks move forward.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
Stephen Biegun's visit to Seoul comes at an important time as many anticipate positive developments in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. from here on in.
Lee Ji-won reports.
Washington's Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun has arrived in South Korea on Monday afternoon for his first diplomatic trip.
"I'm very much looking forward to talking to our South Korean hosts about how we can make progress on denuclearization and bringing stable peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Biegun began his three day trip with a welcome dinner with his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon, the representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs.
On Tuesday morning, Biegun will make an official visit to South Korea's Foreign Affairs Ministry, where he will first meet Minister Kang Kyung-wha briefly, and then meet again with his nuclear talks counterpart Lee.
The South Korean diplomats are expected to fill in Biegun on the latest developments, including the results of the special envoys' trip to Pyeongyang last week.
Biegun's visit comes at a crunch time as South Korea's latest push for the North's denuclearization seems to be gaining traction.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un mentioned achieving denuclearization within U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, which ends in 2021.
Amid such careful optimism, many are hopeful that Biegun's trip to the South may also touch on rescheduling U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyeongyang, which was canceled a few weeks ago as President Trump did not think it would be a success.
During his stay, Biegun is also expected to visit South Korea's top office of Cheongwadae as well as the unification ministry, before traveling to Beijing and Tokyo.
Biegun's position had been left vacant since Joseph Yun left office earlier in February, and many are hopeful that the new appointment can help North Korea-U.S. talks move forward.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
Recommended
Top nuclear envoys of South Korea, U.S. to discuss ways to resume talks with North Korea
Arirang News
Top nuclear envoys of South Korea, U.S. to discuss ways to resume talks with North Korea
Arirang News