Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho in Washington on July 22, 2024. The meeting was followed by a roundtable discussion with two escapees from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Deputy Secretary Campbell and Minister Kim highlighted the importance of deterring DPRK aggression and addressing the destabilizing impacts of increasing cooperation between the DPRK and Russia on international peace and the global non-proliferation regime.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to U.S.-ROK collaboration, promoting accountability for human rights abuses in the DPRK, and supporting unfettered access to information for North Koreans. Deputy Secretary Campbell reiterated U.S. support for the reunification of separated families, including Korean American divided families, ROK detainees, abductees, and unrepatriated POWs. He also emphasized concern for the welfare of the North Korean people and an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.
