Director-General for Korean Peninsula Policy Meets with U.S. Deputy Special Representative for North Korea (July 22)

1. Lee Jun-il, Director-General for Korean Peninsula Policy, visited Washington, D.C. and met with Seth Bailey, Deputy Special Representative for North Korea at the United States Department of State, on the afternoon of July 22 (local time). During the meeting, they discussed the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and possible measures.

2. The two sides strongly condemned North Korea for its recent provocative actions, including launching ballistic missiles, sending balloons carrying trash, and jamming GPS signals. They called on North Korea to immediately stop all the destabilizing actions and to engage in the dialogue proposed by the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Furthermore, they agreed to thoroughly prepare for any potential provocations by North Korea, including unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the West Sea, and to respond firmly based on the robust ROK-U.S. combined defense posture.

3. The two sides expressed concern over the ongoing military and economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including arms transactions and the supply of refined petroleum to North Korea which violate a series of UN Security Council resolutions. They agreed to continue responding firmly to these actions threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, in close coordination with the international community.

4. Additionally, the two sides discussed measures to counter North Korea's illicit cyber activities, dispatch of overseas workers, and smuggling of refined oil, which are carried out to fund its nuclear and missile programs. They resolved to redouble efforts to block the procurement of key funds and resources for North Korea's weapons programs.

5. In this context, they agreed to support efforts by the international community and private industries to counter North Korea's crypto theft and money laundering by holding an ROK-U.S. joint symposium on August 27 in New York, inviting participants from the virtual asset industry and government officials.

6. Building on the outcomes of the 1st Enhanced Disruption Task Force meeting held in March, the two sides agreed to actively consider imposing sanctions on individuals and companies in the region engaged in smuggling prohibited items with North Korea and to seek other measures, including providing guidance to the relevant industry.

7. Director-General Lee also explained the ROK's diplomatic efforts to protect overseas North Korean defectors, and the two sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to improve the human rights situation in North Korea.