1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha met with Mr. Stephen Biegun, Special Representative for North Korea of the Department of State of the United States, on May 10. In the meeting, the two sides exchanged their views on the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the short-range missile launch by North Korea on May 9, and discussed ways to achieve complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Minister Kang said that the recent short-range missile launch by North Korea does not help at all in improving inter-Korean ties and alleviating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and that it is highly concerning. She went on to emphasize that it is important for the ROK, the US, and the DPRK to engage in sincere dialogue for complete denuclearization and permanent peace.

3. Special Representative Biegun, sharing the Minister’s view, noted that it is crucial moment to maintain close communication and cooperation between the ROK and the US. He went on to state that the door remains open for the DPRK to return to negotiation.

* unofficial translation