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An emergent window of opportunity for South-North discussions
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Dialogue between South and North is progressing across a range of channels
With the inter-Korean liaison channel restored for the Pyeongchang Olympics, details are emerging on the behind-the-scenes channel as well. The decision to go public and draw attention to the “channels” used behind the scenes in the past for important negotiations is seen as signaling President Moon Jae-in’s intent not to miss the current opportunity for dialogue. Relating news of an upcoming South Korea visit on Feb. 25 by North Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee vice chairman and Unified Front Department (UFD) director Kim Yong-chol, a senior Blue House official said on Feb. 22 that Kim’s “counterpart is probably going to be National Intelligence Service (NIS) director Suh Hoon.” As evidence, the official explained that the position of UFD director is equivalent to the South Korean NIS director. On the possibility of a meeting between Suh and Kim, the official said, “They are counterparts after all, so there’s definitely a possibility of them meeting.” In effect, the Blue House went public with the NIS-UFD “line” it has customarily used for behind-the-scenes discussions. Suh and Kim are respectively recognized as “heavyweights” on inter-Korean matters for Moon and Kim Jong-un. One of four people who accompanied Moon in his Feb. 10 meeting with visiting Workers’ Party Central Committee first vice director Kim Yo-jong and Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium President Kim Yong-nam, Suh has been talked about as a strong contender to serve as a special envoy to the North. Suh and Kim Yong-chol now appear poised to play a “control tower” role in steering future-inter-Korean relations on Moon and Kim Jong-un’s behalf. During the Pyeongchang Olympics, practical inter-Korean discussions were handled by a line consisting of second deputy director Kim Sang-gyun from the NIS and vice director Maeng Kyong-il from the UFD. Maeng, who arrived in South Korea ahead of the Pyeongchang Olympics opening ceremony, has reportedly stayed on since then to conduct behind-the-scenes discussions with Kim. Both appear likely to continue assisting Suh and Kim Yong-chol in handling working-level discussions. The Pyeongchang Olympics have also resurrected the line between the Ministry of Unification (MOU) and Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF) as a major driver in inter-Korean relations. In the past, the MOU and CPRF have handled the public discussions following behind-the-scenes coordination between the NIS and UFD – serving as the “open channel,” in effect. Following their meeting as chief representatives in high-level inter-Korean talks on Jan. 9, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and CPRF director Ri Son-gwon were also seen together during Kim Yo-jong’s visit. Ri will be making his second South Korea visit this month on Feb. 25 as a member of the second senior delegation. Practical duties related to official discussions are likely to continue under vice minister of unification Chun Hae-sung and CPRF vice chairman Jon Jong-su, who served as senior representatives a to working-level meeting on Jan. 17 for the high-level inter-Korean talks. University of North Korean Studies professor Yang Moo-jin said, “This seems to be the result of the NIS and UFD continuing to maintain a channel and communicate through the Pyeongchang Olympics period.” By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
