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As the Moon Jae-in administration is taking a drive to “reactivate the peace process on the Korean Peninsula,” it is expressing its intention for the early conclusion of the Korea-US summit every day.
It is an observation that the Moon Jae-in administration recently started the’military period’ of the ROK-US summit. President Moon sent a congratulatory message to US President Biden on the 21st and conveyed the meaning of “Let’s meet in person in the near future.” Prior to this, President Moon hoped to hold an early Korea-US summit at a New Year press conference on the 18th, saying, “I want to reaffirm the consensus on the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.”
Communication between the ROK-US diplomatic and security lines has also started. National Security Officer Seo Hoon had a phone call the day before with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. It was the first call between South Korea and the US since President Biden took office. Both sides have formed a consensus that it is important to initiate normal communication between Korea and the United States as soon as possible.
In addition, the U.S. diplomatic and security line appointment procedures are in progress. In line with this, communication between counterparts between Korea and the United States is expected to continue. In particular, attention is focused on the first communication between the expected future candidate for Foreign Minister Eui-yong Eui-yong and the nominee of Secretary of State Tony Blincoln. Communication between ROK-US foreign ministers is likely to be the first step in preparation for the holding of the ROK-US summit.
Some observe that the first face-to-face contact between the ROK and US leaders will be the G7 (7 major countries) summit in the UK in June. The UK, which is the chair of this year, has invited three countries, Korea, Australia and India as guest countries.
However, there are observations that the Moon Jae-in administration’s willingness to hold the Korea-US summit earlier is strong, and that the holding of the summit may be accelerated. In addition, the US government’s high interest in North Korea is raising the likelihood of an early summit meeting.
In particular, White House spokesman Jen Saki said at a briefing on the 23rd (local time) that “the United States still has a great interest in deterring North Korea,” suggesting that it will adopt a new strategy to keep allies safe. He said that President Biden regarded North Korea’s proliferation of nuclear and ballistic missiles as a serious threat.
Prior to the launch of Biden, there was an analysis that diplomats inside and outside of the country could be less interested in the North Korean issue due to domestic issues that the US had accumulated, such as the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). However, this explanation by the White House came in the process of answering the reporter’s question, and in that it delivered a prepared position in advance, it was interpreted as “a proof that the interest in North Korea is very high.”
In a conversation with News 1, Hong Min, head of the North Korean Research Institute at the Institute for National Unification, said, “(The Korea-US summit meeting early in June) is highly likely.” We can respond more quickly than we think.”
“From the perspective of the Biden administration, North Korea is a subject that needs to be managed even before the establishment of North Korea policy,” said Mr. Hong. “If North Korea provokes on the way, it is because there is a high risk of negatively pulling the negotiations itself.”
“The ROK-US summit can also take place quickly as part of’situation management’,” said Mr. Hong, adding, “It may not go until June, or it may be before the ROK-US joint training in March.”
Meanwhile, there is still a possibility that Corona 19 will become a variable in hosting the shellfish of the Korea-US summit. Because of this, there are also observations that the talks could be conducted by video.
Im Jae-cheon, a professor at Korea University’s Department of Unification and Diplomacy, said, “When a Korea-US summit meeting is held in the United States or Korea (the number of executives, etc.), a significant number of people will move together. Face-to-face contact with Corona 19 can be burdensome.” said.
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