Third Secretary for National Security "North Korea-US meeting itself is the beginning of everything... unlikely to happen"

"President Lee does not think he necessarily needs to participate in a North Korea-US meeting."

"The possibility is very low, but if the situation arises, we have the capacity to prepare internally."

National Security First Secretary and Third Secretary in conversation (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Hae-in = Kim Hyun-jong, First Secretary for National Security of the Presidential Office (left), and Oh Hyun-ju, Third Secretary for National Security, are in conversation before the start of the 5th Senior and Aide Meeting held at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 24th. 2025.7.24 [Presidential Office Communications Photo Journalists] hihong@yna.co.kr

Oh Hyun-ju, Third Secretary for National Security of the Presidential Office, stated, "President Lee Jae-myung does not believe that South Korea must necessarily participate in a North Korea-US meeting."

At a press briefing for foreign media held at the Press Center in Seoul on the 27th, Secretary Oh said, "A meeting between North Korea and the US, in any situation, is the beginning of everything," adding this.

This statement was made in response to a question about whether a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un would materialize at the APEC summit in Gyeongju.

Secretary Oh remarked, "There are talks that the two leaders could meet, but I believe the possibility is very slim," adding, "The North Korea-US meeting in Panmunjom in 2019 was also reportedly arranged in just 30 minutes. They prepared what was necessary within that 30-minute window." He continued, "If such a situation arises now, we also have the capacity to prepare internally within that timeframe."

When asked if this meant President Lee was also preparing to join the meeting in Panmunjom, Secretary Oh replied, "It does not necessarily include our president's attendance."

However, he reiterated, "Speculation and expectations should be treated separately," emphasizing, "From the Presidential Office's perspective, we see it as very unlikely."

He added, "North Korea always acts differently from our expectations, so Chairman Kim might change his mind again and accept the US proposal," but stated, "My position remains unchanged as explained."

When asked if there had been any requests from the US to "make a North Korea-US meeting happen," he replied, "To the best of my knowledge and information, I am not aware of any such requests." Yonhap News