U.S. Allows North Korean Deputy Negotiator at Six-Way Talks to Visit New York

On June 17, the U.S. said that it permitted Li Gun, the deputy director-general of North Korea’s American Affairs Bureau under the Foreign Ministry, and a deputy delegate to the six-way talks, to visit New York.

In a briefing, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli noted that the U.S. approved the request by the North Korean government that Lee attend an international conference to be held in New York under the sponsorship of the National Committee for Diplomatic Policy starting June 30 to July 1.

Government officials and private experts from the U.S., China, Japan, and North Korea will participate in the international conference that deals with security issues in Asia, so the contacts between participants from the U.S. and North Korea are attracting public attention.

However, Deputy Spokesman Ereli remarked, “This time, the conference won’t be an opportunity for the bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S.”

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com