Communication Channels Between the US and North Korea for Discussing US Soldier

Despite the absence of diplomatic ties between the United States and North Korea, various methods are available for communication. On Wednesday, a US official revealed that the US government had made contact with North Korea to address the case of Pvt. Travis King, an American soldier who entered North Korea during a tour of the border area. The US is still awaiting a response from North Korea.

Let’s explore the different channels that both countries could potentially use to discuss Pvt. Travis King, marking the first instance of an American held in North Korea in almost five years.

1. The Pink Phone at Panmunjom:
   One reliable method for the US to reach North Korea is through a light pink-colored touch-tone phone located at the US-led U.N. Command in Panmunjom, a Korean border village where King crossed into North Korea. This telephone line connects liaison officers from both sides, with offices only 40 meters (130 feet) apart. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the Pentagon attempted to establish communication with the Korean People’s Army in North Korea through this channel, but there has been no response yet.

2. New York Mission:
   The US also possesses various channels for sending messages to North Korea, including North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in New York. This mission serves as a back-channel negotiation option, acting as a substitute embassy since the two countries do not have embassies in each other’s capitals. In the past, this mission played a crucial role in facilitating the high-stakes summitry between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former US President Donald Trump. While the idea of a US liaison office in Pyongyang was considered during their second summit in Vietnam, it was abandoned after the breakdown of diplomacy.

3. Swedish Embassy:
   Sweden, which maintains relations with North Korea and has an embassy in Pyongyang, has offered consular services to US citizens, including those detained on charges of illegal entry or espionage acts. The State Department officials have reached out to Sweden regarding Pvt. Travis King’s case. However, complications may arise due to the fact that Swedish diplomats based in Pyongyang reportedly left the country in 2020 due to severe COVID-19 restrictions. Nonetheless, experts suggest that communication may still be possible through North Korea’s embassy in Sweden.

4. Other Hotlines:
   The two Koreas have their own set of phone and fax channels to arrange meetings, facilitate border crossings, and prevent accidental military clashes. However, North Korea has been unresponsive to South Korea’s attempts to exchange messages through these channels since April, especially considering the heightened tensions surrounding its nuclear program. Communication could potentially occur through a hotline between the spy agencies of both Koreas, as it has been previously active when other lines of communication stalled. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that they were in contact with Washington, but no further details were provided.

Prospects:
Experts suggest that North Korea will not respond to US outreach until they have completed their investigation of Pvt. Travis King, which is expected to take at least two weeks. After the investigation, a prolonged negotiation between the US State Department and the North Korean Foreign Ministry is anticipated. While North Korea may perceive King’s custody as leverage to obtain diplomatic concessions from the US, it would also be challenging for them to detain a low-ranking soldier without significant high-profile intelligence on the US for an extended period. Consequently, if King expresses his desire to return home, North Korea may seek to reach a deal with the US. In the past, North Korea released US civilian detainees following visits by high-profile Americans, such as former presidents, to Pyongyang. Similar steps may be required in King’s case.

Chun In-bum, a retired lieutenant general who commanded South Korea’s special forces, noted that King’s entry into North Korea is embarrassing for the US. This incident occurred on the same day that the US significantly enhanced its security commitment to South Korea, deploying a nuclear-armed submarine and conducting the inaugural meeting of a bilateral nuclear consultative body. In response, North Korea test-fired two missiles on Wednesday, effectively overshadowing the news of the submarine and consultative body.

In summary, despite the lack of diplomatic ties, the US and North Korea have established various channels, such as the pink phone at Panmunjom, New York Mission, Swedish Embassy, and other hotlines, to communicate and discuss the case of Pvt. Travis King. The outcome of these communications and negotiations remains to be seen as both sides navigate the complexities of the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about communication channels

More about communication channels

• UN Command Maintains ’24/7/365′ Contact with the North’s Army: This tweet by the UN Command highlights the continuous contact maintained with North Korea’s army via the “pink phone.”
• US-North Korea Relations: A background article by the Council on Foreign Relations providing an overview of the diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea.
• North Korea’s Mission to the United Nations: The official website of North Korea’s mission to the United Nations, offering insights into their role in facilitating communication.
• Sweden’s Relations with North Korea: Information from the Swedish government on their relations with North Korea and the role of their embassy in Pyongyang.
• Korean Peninsula Hotline: Cross-Border Communication: An article from the Arms Control Association discussing the hotline communication channels between North and South Korea.