ID :
205889
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 00:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/205889
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S. Korea's nuke envoy in Washington for 'farewell' trip: official
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, arrived in Washington Wednesday for what a senior American official described as a "farewell" visit.
"It is his farewell visit," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told reporters after a forum here.
Campbell said he met with Wi earlier in the day.
"I thanked him from the bottom of my heart for all his strong commitment and how much I appreciate working with him," he said.
He added he wished Wi good luck in his "new assignment."
Wi, who took up the post of Seoul's top nuclear negotiator in March 2009, was widely expected to quit. This was the first official confirmation that his career will continue.
Sources said that Wi will likely be named as South Korea's ambassador to a major country.
In late July, Wi had historic denuclearization talks with his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong-ho, in Bali, Indonesia, paving the way for the resumption of high-level dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.
During his three-day trip in Washington, Wi will also meet Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea, and Robert Einhorn, special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, officials said.
"It is his farewell visit," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told reporters after a forum here.
Campbell said he met with Wi earlier in the day.
"I thanked him from the bottom of my heart for all his strong commitment and how much I appreciate working with him," he said.
He added he wished Wi good luck in his "new assignment."
Wi, who took up the post of Seoul's top nuclear negotiator in March 2009, was widely expected to quit. This was the first official confirmation that his career will continue.
Sources said that Wi will likely be named as South Korea's ambassador to a major country.
In late July, Wi had historic denuclearization talks with his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong-ho, in Bali, Indonesia, paving the way for the resumption of high-level dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.
During his three-day trip in Washington, Wi will also meet Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea, and Robert Einhorn, special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, officials said.
