Top national security adviser flies to US

Kim Kwan-jin, front, the head of National Security Office at the presidential office, walks at the Incheon International Airport on Sunday to fly to Washington to attend a flurry of meetings with U.S. officials. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin flew to the United States Sunday for talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, human rights issues and other concerns, including the continued threats of Islamist extremists.

During his three-day visit ― his first as the nation's top national security adviser ― the former defense minister is scheduled to meet his U.S. counterpart Susan Rice and other U.S. officials. Kim took up the position in June.

His trip comes as the North is trying to engage in diplomacy in an apparent bid to break out from international isolation.

President Park Geun-hye is also scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 24.

"I think there will be broad discussions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea, the South Korea-U.S. alliance, Northeast Asia and global issues, rather than the two sides confining consultations to a certain subject," Kim said ahead of his departure at Incheon International Airport.

The U.S. government recently pledged to destroy the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), the extremist Sunni group that controls large areas of Iraq and Syria.

Kim plans to discuss how Seoul can support Washington's fight in the Middle East.

"The Korean government supports measures by the U.S. and the international community," Kim said. "It will review ways to support them from a humanitarian perspective."

The issue of three American citizens detained in North Korea will also be discussed, he added.