1. Amb. Lee Do-hoon, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, visited the European Union on March 20, and paid a courtesy call on EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. In the courtesy call, the two sides shared their assessments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and discussed the way forward for denuclearization.

o The two sides shared the view that following the second United States-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea summit, the international community needs to maintain the momentum of dialogue, and continue efforts to make substantive progress in denuclearization, building upon the accomplishments attained so far. They agreed to continue to closely collaborate with the international community, including the US.

2. In addition, Special Representative Lee held a closed-door briefing on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, the way forward, and the Republic of Korea government’s North Korea policy at an EU Political and Security Committee meeting on March 20.

o Special Representative Lee stressed the need for an early resumption of US-North Korea dialogue following the second US-North Korea summit, and asked EU countries to play constructive roles to achieve complete denuclearization and establish a lasting peace.

3. On March 21, Special Representative Lee will meet with high-level EU officials, including Secretary General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid, and continue discussions on issues on the Korean Peninsula.

4. Special Representative Lee’s visit to the EU served as an opportunity to expand consensus among the EU and its member states on ways to keep the momentum of dialogue alive and to pursue denuclearization, thereby further strengthening cooperation with the international community to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully.

* unofficial translation