Talks underway to end Korean War: NSO chief

National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong, right, answers questions during a government audit of Cheong Wa Dae and the presidential national security team at the National Assembly, Tuesday. On the left is presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok. Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

South Korea is still trying to work out a deal to officially declare an end to the Korean War by the end of this year, expecting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Seoul “soon,” presidential National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong said Tuesday.

“Seoul is discussing with key stakeholders in denuclearization talks to make a declaration ending the Korean War by the end of this year,” Chung said during a National Assembly audit of Cheong Wa Dae and the presidential national security team.

“Regarding the format (of the war-ending declaration), lots of options remain wide open. It seems like there is much possibility and there are many variables.”

Chung, who is also Seoul's top envoy in denuclearization talks, said South Korea is expecting to see “substantial progress” in the North's denuclearization from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's meeting with his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chol early Friday (KST) in New York.

“Following the Pompeo-Kim meeting, Seoul expects working-level talks to follow,” Chung said.

Some critics say Seoul's push to end the war is a goal seen as increasingly doubtful in the face of opposition in Washington.

The U.S. has retreated from the formal announcement of the Korean War's end, saying Pyongyang must first present more detailed and concrete plans for giving up its nuclear warheads. But North Korea demands simultaneous moves from the United States in return for its initial steps to dismantle some of its nuclear facilities, with a peace declaration its first priority.

Separately, an official at Cheong Wa Dae said efforts for a peace declaration that would eventually lead to a peace treaty are in line with President Moon Jae-in's greater engagement policy with the North through dialogue and compromise. He said Washington may grant Pyongyang a peace declaration as a “confidence-building measure” after the North discloses the full inventory of its nuclear warheads and agrees to allow nuclear watchdogs to inspect its facilities.

Meanwhile, Chung declined to comment on what conditions are required to finalize the end-of-war declaration.

He said Seoul would deliver humanitarian aid to North Korea if the high-level meeting between the United States and North Korea produces acceptable results.

During the audit, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) engaged in a war of words with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) over presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while President Moon was traveling to European capitals.

The LKP said Lim's visit to inspect mine removal with the unification minister and national security chief was “very inappropriate,” claiming the role of the presidential chief of staff is limited and intended to support the President behind the scenes.

The DPK said because Lim is also chief of the presidential committee on inter-Korean affairs, the trip was necessary to check progress on the easing of border tensions.