Washington's special representative for North Korea is calling on all sides to seize the chance to achieve the denuclearization of the peninsula.
Stephen Biegun was in Seoul on Tuesday to hear the latest on the situation from senior South Korean officials.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
What South Korea and the U.S. have to do now, is to finish the job.
This is what U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun said earlier when he had his first official sitdown with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Do-hoon.
Biegun arrived in Seoul on Monday, and made his first diplomatic visit to the foreign ministry on Tuesday.
Seoul's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, Lee Do-hoon, briefed Biegun on the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula,... including the results of the special envoys' trip to Pyeongyang last week.
They also exchanged views on the current situation and had an in-depth discussion about the strategies needed to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to achieve a stable peace in the region.
Though Biegun said there is much work to be done, he seemed determined to move ahead.
"As we spoke, we take this very seriously the responsibility that is on both of us. We have some hard work to do. But we also have a tremendous opportunity created by President Trump, by President Moon and by Chairman Kim. We need to do everything we can to take the most of this moment of opportunity. I heard there is Korean proverb that the beginning is half done. And this is the beginning. So what we need to do is to finish the job."
Prior to meeting his counterpart, Biegun also paid a visit to Minister Kang Kyung-wha with whom he reaffirmed the Seoul-Washington alliance, especially with major diplomatic events coming up, including the inter-Korean summit in Pyeongyang and the UN General Assembly.
Biegun also met with Seoul's Unification Minister, Cho Myoung-gyon.
The inter-Korean liaison office is expected to be launched soon, so this meeting, according to the foreign ministry, will have contributed to the U.S. side's understanding of the situation.
Biegun will conclude his three day trip on Wednesday, and fly to China and Japan. But he is expected back in Seoul sometime this week.... to share the results of his talks in Beijing and Tokyo.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
