비건, 오늘 최종건•이도훈과 회담...美 정권이양기 마지막으로 상황관리 집중<br /><br />U.S. envoy Stephen Biegun is in Seoul to meet South Korean officials.<br />It's likely his last trip as President Trump's Deputy Secretary of State,... ahead of the change in administration in the U.S.<br />For more, we have our foreign affairs correspondent Yoon Jung-min on the line.<br />Jung-min, what are you hearing?<br />Mark.<br />U.S. Deputy Secretary of State... Stephen Biegun met Seoul's vice foreign minister Choi Jong-kun this morning for talks on bilateral and regional affairs.<br />Take a listen.<br />"Both U.S. and the ROK have started on what I consider as an irreversible path toward peace making on the Korean Peninsula. We're a rock solid linchpin of peace security in Northeast Asia."<br />"Not only on the alliance issues but relations with North Korea and also combat in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to continuing close cooperation with you and your team in the weeks and months ahead."<br />Sources say,... they discussed how to maintain stability between the two Koreas during the power transition in Washington,... as well as the handover of Peninsula affairs to a new administration.<br />Biegun's visit is seen as a farewell trip before U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January.<br />It is an opportunity for South Korean diplomats to thank the Trump administration for its efforts over the past four years,... regarding the South Korea-U.S. alliance,... and the pursuit of peace on the Korean Peninsula.<br />But,... there still are a series of unresolved issues between Seoul and Washington,... including the stalled defense cost-sharing negotiations,... and denuclearization talks with North Korea.<br />And what is Biegun's schedule for the rest of the day?<br />The envoy, who is also the U.S. pointman on North Korea ... will meet chief nuclear negotiator Lee Do-hoon in the afternoon.<br />The two nuclear negotiators are likely discuss,... how they can stably manage the Korean Peninsula issue until January,... to deter North Korea from provocations,... while maintaining momentum for dialogue.<br />Lee and Biegun have been working together since 2018,... so they are expected to share their thoughts on their work so far.<br />Biegun has official appointments with other South Korean officials over the next two days.<br />He is expected to meet South Korea's national security advisor Suh Hoon, deputy national security adviser Kim Hyun-chong and other key figures.<br />On Thursday, Biegun is to meet with Seoul's unification minister Lee In-young for a breakfast meeting,... and foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha on Friday for a banquet.<br />Back to you, Mark.<br />
