The Unification Ministry announced on October 13 that it is in regular communication with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul regarding North Korea policy, following remarks by U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Kang Kyung-wha, who identified intelligence cooperation as a significant challenge between the two countries.
A ministry official stated during a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul that Minister Jeong Dong-young had indicated the South Korea-U.S. alliance is fundamentally sound, and that the ministry maintains ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Embassy.
The official added that the director of the ministry's North Korean policy office and the U.S. Embassy's charge d'affaires meet regularly to discuss relevant issues.
Previously, Ambassador Kang noted during a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit in Washington, D.C., that intelligence cooperation remains a challenging issue, suggesting it has not been sufficiently resolved to meet U.S. expectations.
Reports indicate that the U.S. has limited the sharing of information regarding North Korean nuclear facilities due to Minister Jeong's disclosure of information related to the 'Gusong enrichment facility' during a National Assembly meeting in March. In a recent press conference, Jeong refuted claims that new leaks had occurred, stating that the information had already been disclosed during a confirmation hearing last July.
Regarding the fact that U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Michelle Steel, has not yet met with Minister Jeong since her appointment, the official remarked, "It is customary for a newly appointed ambassador to request a meeting, but I understand no such request has been made yet." The official added, "I do not see it as an urgent matter, and while I am open to a meeting, no discussions are currently underway."
The Unification Ministry is also paying attention to the potential for U.S.-North Korea dialogue during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, next month.
The official commented on the possibility of further contact between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating, "There are currently no developments to confirm, but President Trump continues to express willingness to meet with Kim, and the Shenzhen APEC is just over a month away."
The official emphasized that October is a crucial month, and if a meeting occurs at the APEC summit in November, it could represent a significant turning point for the Korean Peninsula. "In this regard, we are making various efforts to facilitate dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea," the official said.
When asked about specific efforts, the official stated, "The government is playing a role as a facilitator to create opportunities for U.S.-North Korea dialogue." The official noted, "Rather than making assumptions about possibilities, we are focusing on the fact that opportunities for President Trump to visit East Asia are rare, and we are hopeful for dialogue during next month's APEC."
Meanwhile, the Unification Ministry assessed that North Korea's opening of the Defense Revolution Museum, coinciding with the 81st anniversary of the Workers' Party, aims to showcase the legitimacy of its self-defense policy and its military achievements.
The official noted, "North Korea has previously held exhibitions of military equipment, such as 'Defense Development-2021' and 'Defense Development-2025,' to demonstrate its military capabilities on the anniversary of the party's founding. This time, they have gone beyond a one-time exhibition to open the Defense Revolution Museum and reveal various strategic weapons."
The official added, "We believe there is an aspect of emphasizing the legitimacy of their self-defense policy while showcasing military achievements under the party's leadership to both domestic and international audiences."
North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency, reported that the opening ceremony of the Defense Revolution Museum was held on October 11. The Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, also featured the event on its front page with several photographs.
Published images included North Korea's new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-20,' a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the hypersonic missile 'Hwasong-16,' a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher, and an anti-ship missile 'Badasuri,' among other key strategic and tactical weapons.
Kim Jong Un attended the opening ceremony with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Ju-ae. He stated that building the world's strongest defense industry is the mission of the Workers' Party and expressed intentions to continue weapon development and expand the museum's scale and exhibits.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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