The nation’s top nuclear envoy said Seoul is consulting with Washington to enable humanitarian cooperation with North Korea in various areas. 

Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Noh Kyu-duk made the remarks to reporters on Sunday after arriving at Dulles International Airport in Washington for a four-day trip. 

Noh said that he believes it's a critical point to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process.

The envoy hoped that once the South completes necessary preparations for cooperation in possible areas, it could begin discussions with North Korea when the opportunity arises. 

He dismissed speculations that U.S. foreign policy is focused on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, saying that he believes the North Korean nuclear issue remains a high-priority issue for the Biden administration.  

According to Seoul's Foreign Ministry, Noh will be in Washington until Wednesday at the invitation of his U.S. counterpart Sung Kim.

During the trip, Noh will meet officials from the State Department, the White House National Security Council and others to follow up on discussions he had with Kim in Seoul last week.

Last Monday, the top envoys of South Korea and the United States discussed various areas of humanitarian aid to the North, including health care, quarantine, drinking water and hygiene. The two sides also discussed sending aid through international and nongovernmental agencies.