Seoul and Washington Hold First Joint North Korea Policy Talks Since June, Launch Regular Consultation Channel
Updated (3 articles)
Seoul and Washington Conduct First Joint North Korea Policy Talks Since June The two allies met in Seoul on Dec. 16, led by South Korea’s Jeong Yeon‑doo and Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim, marking the first coordinated North‑Korea dialogue since the liberal Lee Jae Myung administration took office in June [1][2]. Officials said the talks aimed to revive stalled inter‑Korean relations and explore ways to bring Pyongyang back to the negotiation table. Both sides framed the meeting as a “broad discussion” covering all aspects of North‑Korea policy and pledged to keep the channel open for future consultations.
Broad Agenda Encompasses Reengagement Strategies and Regular Consultation Mechanism Participants exchanged views on diplomatic, security and economic levers to reengage the North, echoing a joint summit fact‑sheet commitment to close consultations [1][2]. The foreign ministries stressed the need for a standing dialogue rather than a permanent institutional body, noting months of working‑level talks that have already shaped the framework [3]. The agenda also referenced the earlier Moon‑era working group, acknowledging its legacy while positioning the new channel as more flexible and forward‑looking.
Unification Ministry Declines Participation, Plans Separate U.S. Talks South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter‑Korean affairs, objected to the foreign‑ministry‑U.S. dialogue, warning it could undermine prospects for restoring ties with Pyongyang [1][2]. The ministry announced it would not attend the Dec. 16 meeting and will hold its own discussions with Washington when necessary, underscoring internal coordination challenges within Seoul’s government [1][2].
U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to Complete Denuclearization Amid Policy Shift During the talks, Kevin Kim reiterated that “complete denuclearization” of North Korea remains the shared policy goal, despite the term’s omission from a newly released U.S. security strategy document [3]. The statement signals Washington’s intent to maintain a consistent stance while exploring broader diplomatic avenues with Seoul.
Sources (3 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: S. Korea and U.S. Launch Talks on North Korea Policy: details the Dec. 16 meeting, participants, unification ministry objections, and background of the Moon‑era working group.
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[2]
Yonhap: S. Korea and U.S. to hold talks on North Korea policy: previews the upcoming talks, outlines agenda for regular dialogue, notes ministry dissent and links to summit fact sheet.
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[3]
Yonhap: S. Korea, U.S. in talks for regular meeting on coordinating N. Korea policy: describes ongoing negotiations for a regular consultation framework, includes U.S. denuclearization reaffirmation, and situates the effort within Lee Jae Myung’s diplomatic push.
Timeline
Dec 9, 2025 – Seoul’s foreign ministry and Washington discuss a framework for a regular meeting to coordinate North Korea policy. Spokesperson Park Il says the channel will cover overall policy and “ways to bring Pyongyang back to the dialogue table.” Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim reaffirms that “complete denuclearization” remains the shared goal, even though the phrase disappears from a new U.S. security strategy. The initiative reflects the Lee Jae Myung administration’s push to mend frayed inter‑Korean ties after months of Pyongyang silence [3].
Dec 15, 2025 – South Korea announces upcoming talks with the United States on Dec 16, the first allied North‑Korea‑policy talks since the liberal Lee Jae Myung government took office in June. Vice‑minister Jeong Yeon‑doo will chair for Seoul and Acting Ambassador Kevin Kim for Washington, aiming to boost stalled inter‑Korean ties and set up a regular consultation channel. The unification ministry objects, warning the dialogue could undermine prospects for restoring ties with Pyongyang and will hold separate talks with the U.S. The announcement recalls the Moon Jae‑in era working group (launched Nov 2018, operating 2018‑2021) that later became seen as a monitoring mechanism that hindered peace efforts [2].
Dec 16, 2025 – South Korea and the United States hold the first coordinated North‑Korea‑policy talks since June, meeting in Seoul. Jeong Yeon‑doo and Acting Ambassador Kevin Kim lead a broad discussion on re‑engaging Pyongyang and establishing a regular dialogue channel, as outlined in a joint summit fact sheet committing both allies to close consultations on North‑Korea issues. The unification ministry opts out, planning its own talks with the U.S. and warning the new dialogue could repeat the constraints of the Moon‑era working group. The talks mark a concrete step toward regularized allied coordination on denuclearization and sanctions [1].