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Han Song-ryol

North Korean deputy foreign minister Han Song-ryol is reportedly headed to Malaysia for an unofficial meeting with former officials and academics from the US.

Japan’s Kyodo News reported on Oct. 18 that Han had been spotted arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport and mentioned that he might be headed to Malaysia for off-the-record dialogue with Americans. The Japanese wire service quoted sources as saying that Han might meet former American government officials or experts on North Korean issues.

Han was reportedly supposed to leave Beijing on Oct. 19. “Han’s destination is reportedly Malaysia. He’s in China for a stopover and not because he’s trying to do anything with the Chinese. He’s supposed to be meeting Americans in Malaysia,” said a senior official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

This visit appears to be part of what is known as 1.5 track dialogue between the government and the private sector rather than talks between the North Korean and American governments. When Americans engage in talks with North Korea, they typically receive prior clearance from the US government, even when they are former officials or academics from the private sector. As such, these talks are thought to be significant, even if they do not represent official negotiations between the two governments. Since the meeting is taking place during a period of elevated tension between the two sides following North Korea’s fifth nuclear test last month, attention is focusing on what will be discussed during the meeting and where it might lead.

Han is a key North Korean diplomat involved with American affairs. According to a well-positioned diplomatic source, he was recently promoted from director-general of the US affairs department at North Korea’s Foreign Ministry to deputy foreign minister.

In May, while Han was still director-general of the US affairs department, he interacted with Americans attending an academic conference in Sweden organized by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter and Kim Oi-hyun, Beijing correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]