Kim Jong Un's Dandong Visit Sparks Hope in Seoul
Seoul is hoping that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's unannounced trip to the Chinese border town of Dandong will lead to positive outcomes for the region. On Monday, South Korea's Ministry of Unification said it expects the visit to help bring lasting peace and reopen communication with neighboring countries.
Kim traveled to Dandong on Saturday in what was reported as a surprise visit. There he held talks with Wang Huning, China's fourth-highest official, as Beijing and Pyongyang work to reinforce their traditional friendship.
Ministry spokesperson Yoo Min-ho told reporters at a regular briefing that the government hopes the visit will bring peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula and allow dialogue with neighboring nations to resume.
There has been speculation that the trip could be connected to a possible summit with US President Donald Trump. Yoo said the government is watching the situation carefully and will take appropriate action should such a meeting take place.
During the one-day trip, Kim visited a bus factory. The ministry said it will track developments without jumping to conclusions, since North Korea has not stated the purpose of its visit.
Analysts view the factory tour as a sign that Pyongyang intends to broaden cooperation with Beijing in transportation and trade. Still, exporting transport vehicles to North Korea violates UN Security Council sanctions.
Yoo described North Korea's letter to the Security Council as a countermeasure to Seoul's letter sent the previous week. Seoul's letter had held Pyongyang accountable for a landmine explosion on September 21 inside the demilitarized zone, which injured three South Korean soldiers, two of them seriously, and demanded that the North answer for laying the mines.
Yoo said the North's latest letter reaffirms its position on the matter and appears to justify the fortifications it has built along the border.
He added that the ministry is consulting with other relevant ministries on what steps to take in response.