International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who is running for the next UN Secretary-General, has expressed his support for a summit between the United States and North Korea.

According to the U.S. daily The Washington Post (WP) on the 27th (local time), Director General Grossi met with WP the previous day and stated regarding U.S. President Donald Trump pushing for dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, "It is very important that they meet."

Director General Grossi emphasized the necessity of resolving issues through negotiations, saying, "Leaders must meet one another."

Grossi expressed the view that dialogue should not be hindered by leader Kim's reputation as a dictator who violates human rights.

He also cited President Trump's attempts to mediate between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who are at war.

Grossi added, "People ask, 'How can you shake hands with someone like that?' But a handshake is the raison d'être of diplomacy," and continued, "After the handshake, you expect dialogue, and through dialogue—which must be conducted in a polite and respectful manner—we try to accomplish something."

The IAEA is a key organization that plays a central role in the declaration, verification, and inspection processes of nuclear negotiations under the banner of non-proliferation.

If President Trump reaches an agreement regarding North Korea's nuclear program through a summit with leader Kim, the IAEA is highly likely to be deeply involved in the subsequent implementation process.

In the past, it has played an important role in the verification process of agreement implementation, such as raising suspicions about North Korea's nuclear development while sending inspection teams to North Korea.

When the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities with Iran last June and began 60 days of negotiations on key issues, it also touted the return of IAEA nuclear inspectors to Iran as its first achievement.

The MOU expired on the 17th amid armed conflicts between the two sides. Meanwhile, IAEA Director General Grossi is running as a candidate for the next UN Secretary-General and tied for second place among eight candidates in the second preliminary vote held on the 21st.

The UN Secretary-General must secure affirmative votes from at least nine of the 15 UN Security Council member states and must not face a veto from any of the five permanent members (P5): the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, and France.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)