Posted on : Feb.28,2018 17:22 KST
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Joseph Yun, the US State Department’s Special Representative for North Korea Policy
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The Special Representative for North Korea Policy has been a leading proponent of dialogue with North Korea
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Joseph Yun, the US State Department’s Special Representative for North Korea Policy
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US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun, considered a leading proponent of negotiation with North Korea within the US administration, is to step down from his position later this week. The surprise move has sparked concern that Yun’s resignation – which comes with a US ambassador to South Korea yet to be appointed – signals problems with the coordination of North Korea policy between Seoul and Washington.
“My understanding is that Special Representative Yun will be continuing on only until around Mar. 3,” a senior South Korean foreign ministry official.
In a regular briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Noh Kyu-duk said, “I would like to stress that this basically had to do with [Yun’s] personal circumstances and was not a sudden thing.”
Noh also said acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton “will apparently be handling related duties for the time being.”
“I believe that this acting system will allow us to continue discussions and close coordination on the current issues with North Korea’s nuclear program and North Korea,” he added. In an appearance on CNN the same day, Yun cautioned against reading too much into his resignation.
“It was completely my decision to retire at this time,” he stressed.
Yun also said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had accepted his resignation “with regret.”
Yun has reportedly been mentioning his intent to resign to acquaintances since January. He is seen by many as having done an outstanding job providing a bridge between the very different Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump administrations.
By Yi Yong-in, Washington correspondent
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
