Chung Dong-young Meets Key U.S. Figure in Trump’s First-Term North Korea Outreach; Stephen Biegun Visits South Korea

[Financial News] Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young met with Stephen Biegun, a former deputy secretary of state and former U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, on the 21st. They held intensive discussions on the rapidly changing situation on the Korean Peninsula and diplomatic solutions regarding North Korea.
Biegun oversaw the United States’ working-level diplomacy with North Korea during Donald Trump’s first administration. His visit was made in a private capacity, not as a member of the Trump administration.
During Trump’s first administration, Biegun served as Special Representative for North Korea Policy and deputy secretary of state, making him the top working-level official in charge of U.S. negotiations with North Korea.
Ahead of the 2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit, he held face-to-face negotiations with his North Korean counterpart. He also served as the chief U.S. negotiator at the North Korea–United States working-level talks held in Stockholm, Sweden, in October of the same year, making him one of Washington’s leading experts on North Korea.
At the meeting, the two reportedly held an in-depth exchange of views on solutions to the current stalemate over denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and ways to build peace, drawing on Biegun’s past experience in North Korea–United States negotiations.
Chung said, "I hope that a decisive moment will emerge this fall, allowing the Korean Peninsula to make a new start after overcoming the seven years of disconnection and loss."
[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter