Biegun, ROK security chief seek to alleviate tension over DPRK issues

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun speaks during a news briefing after meeting with the ROK's First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young at the foreign ministry in Seoul, ROK, July 8, 2020. /AP

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun discussed issues related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s new director of national security Suh Hoon at the Blue House, the ROK's presidential office, on Thursday in their first meeting since the latter's appointment, according to sources.

Biegun is on a three-day visit to the ROK to continue "close allied coordination" on bilateral and global issues, and discuss DPRK nuclear issues with the ROK, said the U.S. State Department.

According to Yonhap, the meeting between the two officials aimed at reviving stalled diplomacy with Pyongyang.

Suh, who played a key role in arranging the first summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in 2018, assumed office as the national security office's director in early July.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun (R) talks with his ROK counterpart Lee Do-hoon during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul, ROK, July 8, 2020. /AP

Thursday's meeting is believed to have been focused on ways to alleviate tension on the Korean Peninsula and to break out of the stalemate in diplomacy with the DPRK, sources were quoted as saying by Yonhap.

In Wednesday's meeting, Biegun poured cold water on reports Washington had sought a meeting with Pyongyang officials by saying the U.S. did not request a visit with the DPRK.

"I've seen some press comments that the North Koreans are not prepared to meet with me on this visit. Let me absolutely be clear, we did not request a visit," Biegun told reporters after talks with his ROK counterpart.

The DPRK earlier rejected the U.S.'s request for negotiations and said it had "no intention to sit face to face with the United States," while urging the ROK to "stop meddling," just before Biegun's arrival in Seoul.

Biegun also reiterated support for inter-Korean cooperation amid escalated tension on the peninsula by saying it plays an important component in creating a more stable environment on the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK demolished the inter-Korean joint liaison office building in the DPRK's border city of Kaesong last month in protest against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border by ROK civic group activists, mostly defectors from the DPRK. It has also cut off all communication lines with the ROK.

Biegun did not make a courtesy visit to President Moon Jae-in, said Yonhap, adding the U.S. envoy is scheduled to depart for Japan in the afternoon.