US State Department on Ambassador Harris's "Inappropriate" Remarks... "Pompeo, Highly Trusted"

Spokesperson: "Ambassador Harris Works as Desired by Secretary of State and President"
Ambassador Harris Disrupts Inter-Korean Cooperation Projects at Foreign Press Briefing
Blue House: "Highly Inappropriate"
Out-of-Step Criticism Awareness, Blue House Clarifies "North Korea's Individual Tourism Plans Also Ultimately Within Denuclearization Framework"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. Department of State expressed confidence in Ambassador Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, who sparked controversy by stating that to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions related to inter-Korean cooperation projects shortly after President Moon Jae-in's New Year's address, consultations with the U.S. are necessary.

At a press briefing with foreign correspondents on the 16th, Ambassador Harris said, "It is better to handle these matters through the Korea-U.S. working group to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions," seemingly putting a brake on President Moon’s inter-Korean cooperation projects. The Blue House and political circles criticized this as interference in domestic affairs.

In response, Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, stated on the 17th (local time), "Ambassador Harris works as the Secretary of State and the President want," according to a report by Voice of America (VOA).

Regarding North Korea individual tourism promoted by the South Korean government, the spokesperson avoided specific comments. She said that since it relates to ongoing North Korea-U.S. dialogue and negotiations, she would not comment on individual matters, adding, "The U.S. always welcomes positive contributions from South Korea, Japan, or anyone toward North Korea’s actual implementation of the commitments made at the Singapore summit."

She added that sanctions against North Korea will remain in place until an agreement is reached. The spokesperson said, "We hope for a friendly agreement in 2020," but "sanctions will remain until North Korea and the U.S. reach a mutually agreeable friendly agreement."

The Blue House, which criticized the previous day that "it was highly inappropriate for the ambassador to publicly comment on the host country's president’s remarks in the media" and that "inter-Korean cooperation matters are decisions for our government," sought to ease concerns about discord by stating that "plans such as North Korea’s individual tourism will ultimately be carried out within the framework of denuclearization."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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