비건, 오늘 최종건•이도훈과 회담...美 정권이양기 마지막으로 상황관리 집중
U.S. envoy Stephen Biegun is in Seoul to meet South Korean officials.
It's likely his last trip as President Trump's Deputy Secretary of State,... ahead of the change in administration in the U.S.
For more, we have our foreign affairs correspondent Yoon Jung-min on the line.
Jung-min, what are you hearing?
Mark.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State... Stephen Biegun met Seoul's vice foreign minister Choi Jong-kun this morning for talks on bilateral and regional affairs.
Take a listen.
"Both U.S. and the ROK have started on what I consider as an irreversible path toward peace making on the Korean Peninsula. We're a rock solid linchpin of peace security in Northeast Asia."
"Not only on the alliance issues but relations with North Korea and also combat in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to continuing close cooperation with you and your team in the weeks and months ahead."
Sources say,... they discussed how to maintain stability between the two Koreas during the power transition in Washington,... as well as the handover of Peninsula affairs to a new administration.
Biegun's visit is seen as a farewell trip before U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January.
It is an opportunity for South Korean diplomats to thank the Trump administration for its efforts over the past four years,... regarding the South Korea-U.S. alliance,... and the pursuit of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
But,... there still are a series of unresolved issues between Seoul and Washington,... including the stalled defense cost-sharing negotiations,... and denuclearization talks with North Korea.
And what is Biegun's schedule for the rest of the day?
The envoy, who is also the U.S. pointman on North Korea ... will meet chief nuclear negotiator Lee Do-hoon in the afternoon.
The two nuclear negotiators are likely discuss,... how they can stably manage the Korean Peninsula issue until January,... to deter North Korea from provocations,... while maintaining momentum for dialogue.
Lee and Biegun have been working together since 2018,... so they are expected to share their thoughts on their work so far.
Biegun has official appointments with other South Korean officials over the next two days.
He is expected to meet South Korea's national security advisor Suh Hoon, deputy national security adviser Kim Hyun-chong and other key figures.
On Thursday, Biegun is to meet with Seoul's unification minister Lee In-young for a breakfast meeting,... and foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha on Friday for a banquet.
Back to you, Mark.
