Noh Kyu-duk, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, leaves Incheon International Airport, for the United States, Sunday, to meet officials of the State Department and the White House National Security Council. Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

South Korea's chief nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk's trip to the United States is raising speculation that Seoul and Washington are expected to discuss inter-Korean humanitarian projects in a more concrete way, according to diplomatic observers, Sunday.

In addition, the two sides may also share ideas on the U.S. offering partial sanctions relief, in exchange for North Korea's partial steps toward denuclearization.

Noh's four-day visit to Washington, D.C. is seen as carrying extra weight, given that it follows his American counterpart Sung Kim's official trip to Seoul last week. According to the foreign ministry, Noh plans to meet representatives from the State Department, the White House National Security Council and others, to follow up on discussions held with Kim here during his trip.

"The government has had a series of in-depth consultations with the Joe Biden administration to resume nuclear talks between North Korea and the U.S. as soon as possible. During the trip, I plan to hold talks with U.S. representatives open-mindedly," Noh told reporters at Incheon International Airport.

Shin Beom-chul, director of the Center for Diplomacy and Security at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said that the government was likely seeking to discuss with the U.S. side how to map out humanitarian assistance to North Korea.

During his visit to Seoul, the U.S. envoy said that the Biden administration was set to continue providing its support for inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation projects ― a step forward from its previous stance.

"As Sung Kim confirmed the U.S.'s commitment to South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea, Noh flew to the U.S. to determine the boundaries of that project," Shin said.

"With his discussion with Kim as a reference point, Noh is expected also to discuss the matters with officials from the White House and the State Department."

While in Seoul, asked about the possibility of the U.S. partially lifting its sanctions on Pyongyang in his interview with local broadcaster KBS, Sung Kim had said that the U.S. was willing to address the full range of issues and concerns.

"Given the opportunity, we will be able to make substantial progress," Kim had said.

Also, Shin said that there could be a more demanding issue that South Korea may be wanting to discuss with higher-ranking U.S. officials.

"South Korea and the U.S. could discuss what sanctions relief Seoul can offer to North Korea for dialogue in the event of North Korea showing that it is taking positive steps toward denuclearization," he added.

The U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS), published July 30, said that the Biden approach, "Appears to envision offering partial sanctions relief in exchange for partial steps toward denuclearization."