U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, the top U.S. envoy on North Korea, is arranging to visit Japan, perhaps as early as Thursday, it was learned Monday.
Biegun, the U.S. Special Representative on North Korea, is expected to meet with Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba to discuss the situation in North Korea and Hong Kong. Several government officials revealed the plan.
Before coming to Japan, Biegun plans to visit South Korea and meet with senior South Korean officials, and is looking into making contact with the North Korean side, the sources said.
While in Japan, he is expected to share the results of his visit to South Korea and reaffirm cooperation on North Korean matters. The two sides are also expected to exchange views on the situation in Hong Kong in regard to the National Security Law enacted by China.
It will be the first visit to Japan by a senior foreign government official since March, when the spread of the new coronavirus became a crisis in Japan. The government currently bans the entry of foreign nationals from 129 countries and regions, including the United States, and has requested those who do arrive remain in quarantine for 14 days.
However, Biegun is expected to be exempted from the quarantine requirement by undergoing a PCR test upon arrival in Japan and limiting the places he can visit.
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