After Foreign Ministers' Talks, South Korea Expresses Inter-Korean Projects; US Emphasizes 'Strengthening Cooperation', Japan 'Shifts Responsibility'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan engaged in a hectic diplomatic battle on the 14th (local time) in the United States, conveying their countries' positions through a series of meetings held near Palo Alto, close to San Francisco, addressing numerous pressing issues. The government explained that the significance lies in the fact that bilateral or trilateral foreign ministers met and expressed their views for the first time in up to nine months, but there are also criticisms that since each meeting lasted only about 50 minutes, most of the statements remained at a general level.

In particular, the foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan showed considerable differences in stance on bilateral and trilateral issues. While all three countries emphasized "strengthening the alliance," the United States replaced South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha’s active advocacy for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation and the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue with a statement reaffirming "continued close coordination regarding North Korea-related issues," and Japan stated that "we share the view that it is premature." The United States avoided direct mention of South Korea’s proposed 'inter-Korean economic cooperation,' and Japan openly revealed the lack of consensus by taking the US side.

Meanwhile, the United States placed greater emphasis on trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan rather than on the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue through inter-Korean economic cooperation. The US State Department, in a press release issued immediately after the bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, emphasized that "the alliances between the US and South Korea, and the US and Japan are very important," and that "cooperation among the three countries is essential to ensure regional peace." Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu also confirmed "the three countries’ close solidarity on North Korea policy," while stating that "it is important for North Korea to actively engage in dialogue with the United States rather than provocations."

Coincidentally, the United States imposed additional sanctions on North Korea just before the foreign ministers’ meeting. The US Treasury Department designated the North Korea-based Korea Namgang Trading Company and lodging facilities in China as sanction targets through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which analysts interpret as a clear example revealing the direction of the US government’s North Korea policy. In response, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed concerns by saying that the US side "also sufficiently appreciates" South Korea’s explanation on inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, and that "Secretary Pompeo seems to understand well (about allowing individual tourism by our citizens, etc.)."

Regarding dispatching troops amid instability in the Middle East, the US appeared to pressure South Korea. While Minister Kang expressed a cautious stance, saying "decisions must be made considering the safety of citizens and businesses as well as relations with Iran," Secretary Pompeo emphasized that all countries need to contribute to the deployment of forces to the Strait of Hormuz and the stabilization of the Middle East situation through joint efforts. This is a point where the government’s burden is likely to increase further.

Japan, for its part, reiterated its principles regarding South Korea’s demands for lifting export restrictions and the South Korean Supreme Court’s ruling on forced labor, setting up a confrontational stance. Although Japan showed willingness to continue dialogue, upon closer examination, it consistently shifted the blame for the Korea-Japan conflict onto South Korea and urged it to propose solutions. Instead, Japan reportedly requested South Korea-US cooperation to resolve the issue of Japanese abductees.

Kyodo News and NHK reported that while the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan agreed to continue dialogue, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu demanded a responsible resolution from South Korea regarding the forced labor issue, and since the Korean side did not present new proposals, the talks remained at an impasse. The anticipated progress in dialogue was not achieved.

A Foreign Ministry official explained, "Minister Kang emphasized our position on the forced labor issue, and Foreign Minister Motegi mentioned Japan’s stance," adding, "It is important to maintain the momentum of dialogue between the two countries established by the summit held on December 24 last year, and the two ministers agreed to continue dialogue and consultations between their foreign ministries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.