1. Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Hong-kyun delivered remarks themed “the North Korean nuclear issue and the Republic of Korea’s responses” at the 28th Korea-US Business Councils Plenary, which was co-hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries and the US Chamber of Commerce on November 10.

2. The Special Representative pointed out that amid the growing interdependence between geopolitical and geoeconomic factors, the North Korean nuclear conundrum is not just a political and security issue but also am issue closely linked to economic activities.

° On that note, he stressed that with the international community toughening sanctions and intensifying pressure on North Korea, it is necessary to exercise “geopolitical due diligence” in order to avoid any inadvertent, unintended and unpleasant consequences, such as enterprises’ economic activities being misused for the development of weapons of mass destruction by the North Korean regime.

3. The Special Representative pointed out that the ROK and the US have been leading the global pressure campaign against North Korea, as a result of which the frame of the “entire international community vs. North Korea” has become clear and solid. He added that strong sanctions and pressure on the North should remain in place until the North changes its strategic calculus.

4. Special Representative Kim emphasized that the ROK-US alliance and coordination will remain firmly in place even after the launch of the next US administration. He went on to say that judging from its past actions, North Korea could attempt to take advantage of the transition period for the next US administration, and that with that in mind, the ROK will seek to build as soon as possible a closely cooperative system on North Korean issues with not only the current but also the incoming US administration.

5. Through his remarks, the Special Representative is seen to helped leaders of the US business sector learn more about North Korea’s nuclear threat, the ROK government’s position and ways to respond to the threat; and to have sent a clear message that the close ROK-US coordination on the full range of issues, including those concerning the Korean Peninsula, will remain in place even after the launch of the new US administration.


* unofficial translation