Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
'War end, communication channel possible actions from US'
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks during a press briefing at the ministry building, Wednesday. / Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
By Kim Bo-eun
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha referred to ending the Korean War, establishing a communication channel between North Korea and the U.S., and humanitarian aid as possible measures that Washington could offer Pyongyang for taking denuclearization steps.
“Various options are being discussed as corresponding measures,” Kang told reporters in a briefing at the foreign ministry, Wednesday.
However, on resuming operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) or tours to Mount Geumgang, which had drawn attention as possible reciprocal measures, Kang said such these “were not at a stage of being reviewed.”
While North Korean leader Kim Jong-un brought up the matter in his New Year address, and President Moon Jae-in responded positively, multiple United Nations Security Council sanctions bar the re-opening of the GIC.
There had been speculation that a working group meeting between South Korean and U.S. officials could discuss these matters at a meeting this week, but a foreign ministry official said Tuesday there were no such plans.
“The video conference this time will not be about denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S.,” he said. The two sides are set to discuss humanitarian aid to the North, video reunions between separated family members in the South and North, and the recovery of war remains.
Meanwhile, opening an around-the-clock communication channel between the countries could be related to setting up a U.S. contact office in Pyongyang.
This would be in line with the first agreement reached in a joint statement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim, which was to “establish new relations.”
On ending the 1950-53 Korean War, she said this could be the first step toward a peace treaty.
Regarding concerns that have been raised over North Korea possibly retaining its nuclear program by only giving up its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) based on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s earlier remarks, the minister said she continues to confirm with her U.S. counterpart the common goal of complete denuclearization.
She said discussions were underway for a possible meeting on the sidelines of the Davos Forum in Switzerland next week that both will attend.
“Our approach is to reach a comprehensive deal, and carry it out step by step,” she said.