Summit Preparations and
Agenda
U.S. State Department Special Representative for
North
Korea
Policy Stephen Biegun visited Pyongyang February 6-8 for
working-level talks with his counterpart, Democratic People's
Republic
of Korea (DPRK) State Affairs
Commission Special Representative for U.S. Affairs Kim Hyok
Chol.
On February 11 at the U.S. State Department,
Biegun
debriefed the Pyongyang meeting to a gathering that included U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, ROK National Assembly
Speaker Moon Hee-sang, and leaders from south Korea's five main
political parties. He said, "We have agreed on the [summit]
agenda, but need some time to understand each other for the sake
of the talks."
Biegun stated that the agenda is to consist of 12
items.
Biegun was further quoted as saying that the two sides "had the
opportunity to explain exactly what they want" and that the
"bridging of differences will begin with the next meeting." South
Korean newspaper the Hankyoreh reported that the DPRK
demanded the partial loosening of U.S. sanctions in exchange for
allowing inspections of its Yongbyon nuclear facilities, while
the U.S. proposed a declaration ending the Korean War as a
corresponding measure. The Hankyoreh also noted that the
two sides are likely to build on certain areas arising from the
agreement reached at the first summit, namely the formation of a
new bilateral relationship, establishment of a permanent peace
regime on the Korean Peninsula, and complete denuclearization of
the peninsula.
Biegun explained that the aim of the next
working-level
meeting was
to develop a draft for the summit agreement. "With just
two weeks left until the summit, we can't solve every issue, but
there is the possibility if we can reach an agreement in certain
respects," Biegun was quoted as saying.
Biegun went on to express "hope that the
advancement of
inter-Korean relations proceeds in tandem with the north Korean
denuclearization process," adding that, "Normalization of
relations with north Korea, a peace treaty, and establishment of
a basis for the Korean Peninsula's economic prosperity are a long
way away, but we [the U.S. government] have chosen to do that. We
hope and believe north Korea will make the right choice."
Subseqent reports indicated that the
working-level
meeting began with lower level officials on February 19, with
Biegun
and Kim Hyok Chol joining on February 21 or 22. These
negotiations are
expected to continue right up to the start of the summit.
The Hankyoreh notes, "One of the most
distinctive
aspects of the second summit is that it will last for two days,
whereas the first summit was wrapped up in a single day.
Considering that the leaders have ample time, experts predict
that the summit itinerary will feature not only negotiations but
also social events [...] in an attempt to build and emphasize
trust."
A U.S. administration official said in a February
21
conference call that the Hanoi summit will be "similar in format
to
[the summit] last June 12 in Singapore," adding, "There will be
an
opportunity for the two leaders to see one another one-on-one, to
share
a meal and engage in expanded meetings of their respective
delegations."
President Trump is expected to arrive in Hanoi on
February 26. Chairmain Kim departed Pyongyang by train on
February 23,
travelling to the summit via China.
This article was published in
Volume 49 Number 1 - February
25,
2019
Article Link:
Summit Preparations and
Agenda
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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