South Korea seeks to prevent being 'passed over' in North Korea-U.S. talks

South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Seong-rak stated that South Korea will act as a ‘pacemaker’ to support the resumption of dialogue between the United States and North Korea. During a briefing regarding President Lee Jae-myung’s upcoming visits to the U.S. and South America, Wi emphasized the importance of ensuring that any renewed North Korea-U.S. talks lead to substantive progress on denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

Wi highlighted the necessity of close coordination with the United States to prevent South Korea from being ‘passed over’ in diplomatic processes. He noted that the government is working to strengthen the ROK-U.S. cooperation framework to manage various issues, including security, intelligence, investment, and the transition of wartime operational control.

Additionally, Wi reported the reopening of the communication channel between South Korea’s National Security Advisor and China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, marking the first such meeting in five years. The two sides agreed to regularize this channel and discussed China’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as preparations for President Lee’s attendance at the APEC summit in November.