1. On April 24, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon met with US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea. In the meeting, the two sides shared their assessments of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, including preparations for the inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits, and engaged in in-depth discussions on the way forward.

o Taking note of the recent positive changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the two sides agreed to continue to maintain and strengthen such momentum, and to pursue closer collaboration between the two countries.

o The two sides especially noted that the upcoming inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits are an unprecedented opportunity to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish a lasting peace on the Peninsula. They also agreed to continue to increase communications and cooperation between the ROK and US diplomatic authorities, including high-level and working-level consultations, to successfully hold the two summits.

2. The ROK-US and ROK-Japan consultations held from April 23 to 24 served as a meaningful opportunity to strengthen communications and cooperation with countries concerned, including the US and Japan, to ensure the success of the inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits, and to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish an enduring peace on the Peninsula.

* unofficial translation