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South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha (front

With North Korea and the US engaged in a tense war of nerves following the collapse of their Hanoi summit without reaching a deal, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha suggested a need to “consider all options” to swiftly resume dialogue between the two sides, including sending a special envoy to North Korea and holding an inter-Korean summit.

Kang’s remarks came in response to comments raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Mar. 18 stressing the need to send a special envoy to North Korea to perform the role of “mediator” or “catalyst” between Pyongyang and Washington. Responding to lawmakers’ comments on the need for another “one-point Panmunjom summit” similar to the second inter-Korean summit on May 26 of last year, Kang said, “I certainly do think we need to take full advantage of the trust that has formed between the South and North Korean leaders.” However, she added that no definite plans had yet been established.

Remarking on the reasons for the Hanoi summit’s collapse, Kang explained, “The US wanted discussions in terms of a larger picture in relation to denuclearization while the North limited its dialogue to Yongbyon, so no agreement was ultimately reached.” When asked whether the “all-or- nothing” approach that has seemingly become the Trump administration’s position was actually representative of Trump’s original plans, she replied, “The US’ position is a ‘big picture,’ insisting on negotiations according to a larger picture, but it’s not an ‘all-or-nothing’ position.”

“It’s about reaching an agreement under a larger framework through comprehensive discussions, which is something that can done in stages in some areas,” she added.

When asked about the meaning of the “something extra” in the US’ “Yongbyon plus something extra” equation, Kang said, “It’s a reference to the entire denuclearization process,” adding “[the US’] position is not about starting with reporting. Reporting is an important part of the denuclearization process, but they aren’t talking about doing it right away.”

“They’re talking comprehensively about various nuclear-related programs and facilities, Yongbyon included,” she explained.

With the Hanoi summit collapsing due to differences between North Korea, which is calling for the lifting of five UN Security Council sanctions resolutions adopted since 2016 in exchange for the permanent dismantlement of its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon, and the US, which has demanded “Yongbyon plus something extra” in exchange for sanctions relief, it was belatedly confirmed that the US had considered a stage-based approach to sanctions relief. When asked by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Soo-hyuck whether the Hanoi summit had resulted in the US changing its position on stage-based sanctions relief, Kang replied, “I don’t think so.”

Throughout the committee meeting that day, opposition lawmakers issued harsh remarks accusing the Moon Jae-in administration of losing the trust of both Washington and Pyongyang, citing its failure to predict the “no deal” outcome and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui’s characterization of South Korea as a “player rather than a mediator.” In response, Kang said, “We have cooperated closely with the US, but nobody can say it has been perfect.”

“We are a key party to the denuclearization process and it’s a matter directly tied to our security interests, so there are no objections to our having played a proactive role,” she added.

The same day, the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee also referred a ratification plan for the 10th South Korea-US Special Measures Agreement on defense cost sharing.

By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter

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