Joseph Yoon, “Should not use North Korea for the presidential election”

The scene of the’Biden Era, for Better ROK-US Relations’ event held at the Arirang International Broadcasting Studio in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd by the Democracy 4.0 Research Institute. On the large screen (clockwise from top left), congressmen Gary Connolly, congressman Young Kim, president of the Frank Januzi Menfield Foundation, and former U.S. State Department newsletter Joseph Yoon can be seen on the large screen. Below is Lee Gwang-jae (left) and Lee Jae-jung, members of the Dong-A-Democratic Party. [민주주의 4.0 연구원 제공]

Joseph Yoon, former US State Department Special Representative for North Korea Policy, said at a conference on the 2nd with the Democratic Party’s pro-Moon Jae-in (familiar) think tank,’Researcher of Democracy 4.0′ (hereinafter referred to as Researcher 4.0). he is “We know that the Korean presidential election will be held within a year”“If you, the members of the National Assembly, show exactly that there is no political purpose in the easing of sanctions or aid claims in North Korea, it will be possible.”

“It will not be easy to prove that the current government and ruling party’s appeasement measures against North Korea have no political purpose,” said Yoon’s prospect. He was in charge of negotiations with North Korea under the Obama and Trump administrations.

Yoon’s comments came from the process of answering the question of Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Young-pyo. Congressman Hong said, “The US principles and standards for Korea were unclear. “I am concerned that dialogue will take place in a one-sided relationship as in the Trump administration,” he asked the Biden administration’s keynote.

The dialogue was the first diplomatic-related event after the launch of the Democracy 4.0 Research Institute last year. (From the second left) Lee Yong-seon, Kim Young-ho, Hong Young-pyo, Seoul National University emeritus professor Yoon Young-gwan, Do Jong-hwan, Lee Kwang-jae, and Lee Jae-jung, who attended the site.[민주주의 4.0 연구원 제공]

On this day, the 4.0 researcher held a video conversation on the subject of’Biden Era, Toward Better Korea-US Relations’. It was an event organized by Rep. Lee Gwang-jae. Along with former CEO Yoon, active members of the US House of Representatives, such as Gary Connolly (Democratic Party) and Young Kim (Republican Party), expressed their thoughts in real time. President Joe Biden’s senator who served as an aide, Frank Januzi Mensfield Foundation representative, made a presentation on the theme of “The Biden Government’s East Asian Policy and ROK-US Cooperation Tasks” for 20 minutes.

“I think the Biden administration will respect the Singapore Joint Declaration,” said Januzi, “I think it is wrong for former President Trump to reach out to Chairman Kim Jong-un without a specific plan and agenda.”

In the Democratic Party, in addition to Rep. Lee and Hong, Rep. Jong-Hwan Do, who served as the head of the 4.0 Research Institute, and Rep. Kim Young-ho, Lee Jae-jeong, and Lee Yong-seon of the National Assembly’s Foreign and Transportation Day Committee appeared at the event. Seoul National University professor Yoon Young-gwan, who served as the first foreign minister of the Roh Moo-hyun administration, was in charge of the process, and more than 20 lawmakers including Ho-jung Yoon, Tae-ho Jung, Joo-min Park, Hyung-bae Min, and Young-in Ko watched it through video connections.

The designated discussion was held on three themes: Corona, Economy, and Security. Democrats connected by video participated in free discussions. [민주주의 4.0 연구원 제공]

On this day, Korean and US lawmakers “The two countries should have the same voice on the North Korean issue” (Young Kim), “There is no disagreement in that Korea and the US are one voice (Korean voice)” (Lee Kwang-jae)They had a consensus. However, there was not much difference between interest and perception in each theory. Congressman Connolly said, “We will discuss the division and talk about the US military in Korea in the future,” and said, “In preparation for the North Korean nuclear threat, we must solidify bilateral and multilateral alliances.”

On the other hand, the 4.0 researcher argued that “the issue of debate on defense contributions and redemption of opposition rights is a pending issue,” and argued that “the situation is worsening as the situation is very difficult for the Korean people and the National Assembly to accept” “The harsh United Nations sanctions make life very difficult for North Koreans. There is also an opinion that active support should be provided for health and medical care, food and fertilizer.”

In this regard, former US representative Yoon pointed out that “a proper monitoring system is needed” while discussing the possibility of expanding humanitarian trade compared to the former Trump administration. Rep. Young Kim stressed that “North Korea must first of all confirm’verifiable denuclearization’ to us.” “Before any sanctions easing and peace activities can take place, North Korea’s denuclearization must take precedence.”

The conversation, which was longer than expected, lasted for over two hours. Assemblyman Lee concludes the event “Starting with the Korea-US dialogue, we will continue dialogue with the Korean-Japanese, Korean-Chinese, and Korean-Russian lawmakers sequentially.”He announced. “To overcome the coronavirus crisis and take a leap forward as a leading country, Korea needs to strengthen its diplomacy in the four powers (US, China, Japan, and Russia).” He said, “It wasn’t easy” and “we contacted and recruited participants from the United States through various channels.” It is said that he is currently coordinating the schedule of dialogue with Japanese lawmakers.

Reporter Shim Saerom [email protected]