South Korea appoints two special envoys to North Korea
South Korea's president has chosen two officials from the country's intelligence and security agencies as envoys to North Korea, responding to an invitation from leader Kim Jong-un.
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National Security Office (NSO) Director Chung Eui-yong (left) and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Suh Hoon. Photo:Korea Times. |
National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Suh Hoon and National Security Office (NSO) Director Chung Eui-yong will make a visit to North Korea in a move aimed at easing tensions on the peninsula,Yonhapquoted a senior adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in as saying today. The two officials may also be tasked with arranging dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.
However, this mission is expected to face many difficulties due to the military exercises that are scheduled to take place in early April between the US and South Korea. North Korean news agencyKCNAyesterday posted a commentary, warning that Pyongyang would "respond" if Washington continued to hold joint military exercises with Seoul.
North Korea also added that it was open to dialogue with the US but would not accept any preconditions. "We will never beg for talks or avoid the military option raised by the US,"North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on March 2 spoke by phone with his US counterpart Donald Trump, announcing plans to send a special envoy to North Korea after accepting an invitation from leader Kim Jong-un sent through his sister at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The US previously announcedimposes the largest sanctions on North Korea to force Pyongyang to abandon its missile and nuclear programs. President Trump warns the US will move to "phase two" with North KoreaIf sanctions do not work, the use of force is implied.
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