On March 8, Unification
Minister Kwon Youngse met with British Ambassador to North Korea
David Ellis and its top envoy to South Korea Colin Crooks and
exchanged opinions on inter-Korean relations and issues on the
Korean Peninsula.
Minister Kwon explained the current
circumstances in North Korea and the Yoon administration’s
“Audacious Initiative”, expressed its position that humanitarian
assistance to the North will be provided regardless of the political
and military situation, and asked for the British government’s
continued interest and support.
The minister, in particular,
highlighted the role of the British government, which has diplomatic
relations with North Korea, in persuading Pyeongyang to give up the
development of nuclear weapons and missile programs and return to
the dialogue table.
The ambassadors agreed on the South
Korean government’s policy direction and showed interest in North
Korea’s food situation and policy direction and the challenges in
carrying out the South Korean government’s “Audacious
Initiative.”
Moreover, Britain voiced hope for the early
resumption of operations of the British embassy in the North and
promised cooperation with the international community in resolving
the North’s nuclear and missile problems.
The two sides
sympathized with the need for continued cooperation on a range of
issues, including the Korean Peninsula.
