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| President Moon Jae-in, left, and Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven give a press conference after their talks in Saltsjobaden outside Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, June 15. AP-Yonhap |
By Kim Yoo-chul
Senior South Korean nuclear negotiators will discuss with their Washington counterparts a suggestion that President Moon Jae-in meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to Seoul at the end of the month.
"As President Moon has returned from his trip to Scandinavian countries, senior nuclear negotiators plan to discuss with U.S. officials, and simultaneously their North Korean counterparts, a possible fourth inter-Korean summit before Trump's visit here," a presidential aide said Sunday.
Earlier, President Moon said he was open to meeting with Kim at anytime, anywhere and without conditions, though "accordingly, the timing is up to Kim." He added it's not "physically impossible" to hold a fourth inter-Korean summit at the end of June.
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In a major speech in Sweden, Moon said the international community was "open to lifting economic sanctions and providing security guarantees" to North Korea if Pyongyang consistently pursued dialogue in resolving the denuclearization issue. Moon called on Kim to present specific and detailed nuclear disarmament steps.
"The National Security Office (NSO) would handle procedures and all relevant details. Deputy NSO chief Kim Hyun-chong will play a key role in delivering and sharing updates with Washington on the matter from time-to-time," the aide added.
Washington's top nuclear envoy Stephen Biegun is set to arrive here sometime next week. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said an announcement will be made once the full details of Biegun's plans during his stay are finalized.
It remains to be seen whether or not Biegun will carry messages from top Washington officials on issues relating to the impasse in denuclearization talks for both top North and South Korean officials.
The U.S. Department of State said Trump will discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral alliance with President Moon. It added they will continue their close coordination on efforts to achieve a final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea.
Three previous inter-Korean summits between Moon and Kim resulted in flashy announcements to reduce military tension at the border including the dismantlement of some guard posts located along the heavily-fortified demilitarized zone.
The two U.S.-North Korea summits failed to produce any substantial results, though the first meeting in Singapore produced vaguely-worded statements. But the North Korean leader didn't rule out the possibility of improving inter-Korean ties and holding a third meeting with Trump.
Kim delivered a condolence letter and flowers via his sister Kim Yo-jong to commemorate the death of former first lady Lee Hee-ho. Her husband, former President Kim Dae-jung, began the engagement-centric "Sunshine Policy" that led to detente with North Korea as well as the first ever inter-Korean summit back in 2000.
"All we can tell you is that communication channels are alive and we are diligently working to resolve lots of issues for further progress on the goals that the Koreas and Korea's allies committed to directly, privately, officially and unofficially," said another presidential aide.
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