North Korean Leader's Presence at APEC Summit Not Foreseen, According to Aide
In a recent conference at the Westin Chosun in Seoul, South Korea's top security advisor, Wi Sung-lac, reiterated calls for North Korea to denuclearize through a phased approach. This approach would involve freezing, reducing, and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.
Wi also emphasized the need for more public discourse to enhance South Korea's diplomatic capability. He expressed concern over growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and saw little room for North Korea to engage with either South Korea or the United States, given its recent display of unity with China and Russia.
Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula remains the ultimate goal of both South Korea and the US, Wi stated. However, he acknowledged that it is imperative to bring North Korea back to the negotiation table, but recent reconciliatory gestures from South Korea do not indicate that the North is willing to negotiate denuclearization.
Wi stressed that any change in the strategic flexibility should not weaken the alliance between South Korea and the United States. He also revealed that Washington has consented to the Lee administration's choice of Kang Kyung-wha as the new ambassador to the US. Kang served as foreign minister under the former liberal Moon Jae-in administration from June 2017 to February 2021.
Joseph Yun, acting US ambassador to South Korea, confirmed that President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump will meet at the APEC summit in Gyeongju. However, Wi added that it is unlikely that the APEC summit will set the stage for a meeting between Kim Jong-un and President Trump. Wi expressed hope that President Trump would visit South Korea during the summit, but said the trip has not yet been confirmed.
President Lee Jae Myung's top security advisor also questioned the veracity of a report claiming Russia is providing a nuclear reactor to North Korea for nuclear-powered submarines. The search results do not provide information about a new proposed ambassador of South Korea to the United States or whether the United States has approved such a nomination.
The APEC Leaders' Meeting will take place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. The meeting promises to be a significant event in the region's diplomatic landscape, with key discussions expected to shape the future of relations between South Korea, the US, North Korea, China, and Russia.
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