Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong Briefs the Media on His Meeting with New U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton

Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong briefed the media at Chunchugwan, the Cheong Wa Dae Press Center, today on his recent visit to the United States to meet with new National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Regarding the recent comment by U.S. President Trump in support of discussing an end to the Korean War, Director Chung explained that the roles played by the United States, especially President Trump’s strong commitment to achieving the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, have made great contributions until we have reached this far. He went on to say that President Moon Jae-in’s strong determination to build enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula through inter-Korean talks and his consistent pursuit of this goal have also greatly contributed, adding it is also the assessment of global leaders and media.

In addition, Director Chung gave a positive assessment of Chairman Kim Jong Un's consistent expression of a commitment to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, the North's suspension of provocations since November last year and its realistic recognition of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, which is evidenced by its actual tolerance of the joint ROK-U.S. military exercises.

The Director said that he had returned home after holding very fruitful and substantive consultations with National Security Advisor Bolton in the morning of April 12 in Washington D.C.

Director Chung said Advisor Bolton and he shared information on the preparations for the inter-Korean summit. He added that they had close discussions not only on the inter-Korean summit but also the following summit between North Korea and the United States, as well as a variety of ways to make them a success. The Director also said Advisor Bolton clearly expressed his determination to fulfill his role in supporting U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to successfully carrying out peace policies on the Korean Peninsula.

Director Chung said the two sides exchanged opinions over the possibility of a South Korea-United States summit and a trilateral summit among the two Koreas and the United States. He went on to say that we should not be too optimistic about the success of the inter-Korean summit and the North Korea-U.S. summit. The Director stressed that he would do his best to make both summits a success.

Cheong Wa Dae