Kim Kye Gwan
Encyclopedia
Kim Gye Gwan is a North Korea
n diplomat. His official position is First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to which he was promoted (from just Vice Minister) immediately before the Korean Workers' Party Conference of 28 September 2010. He is the leading figure in international talks over the country's nuclear weapons program, including the six-party talks
in Beijing.
North Korea agreed 2007-02-13, with the help of Kim Kye Gwan, to disarm their nuclear program. This includes shutting down its nuclear reactor and eventually dismantling its atomic weapons program, just four months after the communist state shocked the world by testing a nuclear bomb. Kim Kye Gwan is North Korea's leading spokesperson and head negotiator in matters concerning the North's nuclear ambitions, and will most likely enter the limelight for his role in facilitating North Korea's Nuclear Disarmament deal struck in February.
Kim met with Christopher Hill
, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, when Hill visited Pyongyang in June 2007, afterwards announcing that North Korea would promptly shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facility.
He was also present at the airport to greet Bill Clinton
on his arrival in North Korea for a visit in August 2009 concerning the release of two American journalists imprisoned by North Korea
.
He was also present at the airport to greet Jimmy Carter
on his arrival in North Korea for a visit in August 2010 concerning the release of an American teacher imprisoned by North Korea.
In December 2010, Kim invited the serving Governor of the U.S. State of New Mexico
, Bill Richardson, to North Korea in an unofficial capacity. He met Richardson upon his arrival in Pyongyang
on December 16, where Richardson told reporters that his "objective is to see if we can reduce the tension on the Korean peninsula, that is my objective.
"I am going to have a whole series of talks with North Korean officials here and I look forward to my discussions," he said.
In July of 2011, he traveled to New York City in order to meet with U.S. officials in the Department of State, to encourage recent moves toward possible peace talks. Private food aid shipments (of flour, meant for starving North Korean children) through the Demilitarized Zone have begun again, though South Korea will likely not resume official, government-based food aid shipments - or de-nuclearization and peace talks - until North Korea shows some sign of apologizing for the sinking of the Cheonan and its most recent nuclear test. So far, North Korea - which is still under sanctions for pursuing nuclear weapons (it was regarded as a state sponsor of terrorism and was one of three countries in President George W. Bush's so-called "Axis of Evil
" with Iraq and Iran) has refused to do so. These incidents, and others, have together drastically raised tensions between the two countries within the last two years since talks broke down in 2009 (the North and South are technically still in a state of war, having only signed a truce, and not a formal peace treaty). However, additional motives to sign a deal are the ongoing and worsening food shortages, as well as the upcoming centennial of the birth of North Korea's founder and "Great Leader", Kim Il Sung, the father of the current leader, Kim Jong Il, who has himself named one of his sons to succeed him.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n diplomat. His official position is First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to which he was promoted (from just Vice Minister) immediately before the Korean Workers' Party Conference of 28 September 2010. He is the leading figure in international talks over the country's nuclear weapons program, including the six-party talks
Six-party talks
The six-party talks aim to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program.There has been a series of meetings with six participating states:* The Democratic People's Republic of Korea ;...
in Beijing.
North Korea agreed 2007-02-13, with the help of Kim Kye Gwan, to disarm their nuclear program. This includes shutting down its nuclear reactor and eventually dismantling its atomic weapons program, just four months after the communist state shocked the world by testing a nuclear bomb. Kim Kye Gwan is North Korea's leading spokesperson and head negotiator in matters concerning the North's nuclear ambitions, and will most likely enter the limelight for his role in facilitating North Korea's Nuclear Disarmament deal struck in February.
Kim met with Christopher Hill
Christopher Hill
Christopher Hill may refer to:*Christopher Hill , English bishop*Christopher J. Hill, International Relations scholar, Professor and Director of the Cambridge Centre of International Studies*Christopher R. Hill, U.S. Ambassador in Iraq...
, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, when Hill visited Pyongyang in June 2007, afterwards announcing that North Korea would promptly shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facility.
He was also present at the airport to greet Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on his arrival in North Korea for a visit in August 2009 concerning the release of two American journalists imprisoned by North Korea
2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea
On March 17, 2009, North Korean border guards detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were working for the U.S. independent cable television network Current TV, after they crossed into North Korea from the People's Republic of China without a visa. They were found guilty of...
.
He was also present at the airport to greet Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
on his arrival in North Korea for a visit in August 2010 concerning the release of an American teacher imprisoned by North Korea.
In December 2010, Kim invited the serving Governor of the U.S. State of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Bill Richardson, to North Korea in an unofficial capacity. He met Richardson upon his arrival in Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
on December 16, where Richardson told reporters that his "objective is to see if we can reduce the tension on the Korean peninsula, that is my objective.
"I am going to have a whole series of talks with North Korean officials here and I look forward to my discussions," he said.
In July of 2011, he traveled to New York City in order to meet with U.S. officials in the Department of State, to encourage recent moves toward possible peace talks. Private food aid shipments (of flour, meant for starving North Korean children) through the Demilitarized Zone have begun again, though South Korea will likely not resume official, government-based food aid shipments - or de-nuclearization and peace talks - until North Korea shows some sign of apologizing for the sinking of the Cheonan and its most recent nuclear test. So far, North Korea - which is still under sanctions for pursuing nuclear weapons (it was regarded as a state sponsor of terrorism and was one of three countries in President George W. Bush's so-called "Axis of Evil
Axis of evil
"Axis of evil" is a term initially used by the former United States President George W. Bush in his State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002 and often repeated throughout his presidency, describing governments that he accused of helping terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction...
" with Iraq and Iran) has refused to do so. These incidents, and others, have together drastically raised tensions between the two countries within the last two years since talks broke down in 2009 (the North and South are technically still in a state of war, having only signed a truce, and not a formal peace treaty). However, additional motives to sign a deal are the ongoing and worsening food shortages, as well as the upcoming centennial of the birth of North Korea's founder and "Great Leader", Kim Il Sung, the father of the current leader, Kim Jong Il, who has himself named one of his sons to succeed him.