Minister Chung is one of the few to have had extensive discussions with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il. Following their meeting in June 2005, Kim rejoined the Six-Party talks the following month. Chung will discuss the various proposals in dealing with North Korea made by the US and Korean governments. He will offer his personal views on how to deal with the North Korean nuclear problem and suggestions for future cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in history, Mr. Chung began his career as a journalist at Munwha Broadcasting Company (MBC). He was MBC's correspondent in Los Angeles and eventually the anchor for the evening news.

He left broadcasting for politics and was the spokesperson for President Kim Dae-jung and was elected to the National Assembly. In 2004 he co-founded and served as the first chairman of the Uri Party. He later served as minister of unification and also chairman of the National Security Council. Mr. Chung has a master's degree in communication from Cardiff University in Wales. He has often been mentioned as a contender for South Korea's presidency in next year's presidential election.