South Korea envoys to meet security adviser McMaster during U.S. trip

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two South Korean envoys travelled to the United States on Thursday to meet National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and other officials to discuss this week’s meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, officials in Seoul and Washington said.

National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong and National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon will also speak with other department heads and later possibly meet either U.S. President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence, a South Korean government official said on condition of anonymity.

The official said Chung had already spoken to McMaster on the phone shortly after completing this week’s visit to economically and diplomatically isolated North Korea.

The South Korean envoys were expected to brief U.S. officials on North Korea’s stance on possible future talks with Washington and its apparent willingness to suspend nuclear tests if the security of the North’s government is assured.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was guarded when asked on Wednesday about the prospect of North Korean engagement.