'2nd Anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration' US: "Inter-Korean Cooperation Must Align with Denuclearization"

"Defense Costs Showed Flexibility"

On the 27th, at Jejin Station in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province, participants including Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, are taking a commemorative photo after unveiling the tree-planting marker stone at the ceremony promoting the Donghae Bukbu Line.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. government stated that inter-Korean cooperation should proceed in tandem with progress on North Korea's denuclearization. This remark draws attention as it may reflect dissatisfaction with the South Korean government's recent efforts to initiate improvements in inter-Korean relations on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration. Regarding the defense cost-sharing negotiations, the U.S. emphasized its recent flexibility and urged an active response from South Korea.

On the 27th (local time), Voice of America (VOA) reported that the U.S. State Department, in response to a request for commentary on the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom inter-Korean summit, stated, "The United States supports inter-Korean cooperation."

VOA further reported that the State Department mentioned, "We are coordinating with our ally South Korea to ensure that inter-Korean cooperation proceeds in step with progress on denuclearization."

Additionally, the State Department expressed that regarding the South Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing negotiations, it has shown "significant flexibility" over the past few weeks and hopes for further compromise from the South Korean government.

This is interpreted as continued pressure on South Korea to increase its share of the burden, effectively passing the 'ball' to the South Korean side. Previously, some foreign media reported that U.S. President Donald Trump rejected South Korea's proposed 13% increase, leading to a last-minute breakdown in the defense cost-sharing talks.

Regarding the South Korean government's decision to prepay wages to South Korean workers employed by the U.S. Forces Korea who are currently on unpaid leave, and notifying the U.S. side of this, the State Department reaffirmed its position, stating, "The United States remains committed to reaching a mutually acceptable agreement," and "Our longstanding view is that South Korea can and should contribute a fairer share."

In particular, it claimed, "During the negotiation process, we have adjusted and compromised," and "We have shown significant flexibility over the past few weeks to reach a mutually acceptable agreement."

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