Kang Kyung-wha and Pompeo Talk... Pompeo "Appreciates Korea's Cooperation on COVID-19"

Kang Kyung-wha "Sharing South Korea's Response Experience with the US"
Discussion on the Stalled 'South Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiations'... Efforts for Swift Resolution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the morning of the 6th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation and cooperation measures between the two countries, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and current issues between South Korea and the United States.

Secretary Pompeo congratulated South Korea on successfully holding the general election and expressed gratitude for South Korea's information sharing and close cooperation related to COVID-19.

In response, Minister Kang introduced that although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has decreased to the point where there are almost no local infection cases recently, the South Korean government is not complacent and is urging the public to thoroughly practice daily quarantine measures. She also stated that South Korea will actively share its COVID-19 response experiences with the United States and the international community.

Furthermore, both ministers agreed that the South Korea-U.S. relationship has deepened cooperation in a mutually beneficial direction and decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the COVID-19 response, based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance.

In particular, they exchanged views on the stalled negotiations of the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the U.S., but it is known that there were no discussions that could lead to progress.

The South Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing negotiations failed to reach a final agreement after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a provisional agreement among working-level officials. The U.S. side continues to apply external pressure, stating that South Korea needs to adopt a flexible attitude.

On the 5th (local time), Mark Naeper, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said at a virtual seminar on Korean Peninsula issues held in Washington, "We have been very flexible so far," and added, "We expect a certain degree of flexibility from the South Korean side as well."

Meanwhile, the call was made at Secretary Pompeo's request.

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