Kang Kyung-wha - Pompeo Call... Pompeo "Reaffirmed ROK-US Alliance as Linchpin of Global Peace and Security"

Kang Kyung-wha "Close Cooperation on COVID-19 Response"... Efforts for Swift Resolution of Defense Cost Negotiations
U.S. State Department Also Expresses "Pompeo's Appreciation for South Korea's Cooperation and Information Sharing on COVID-19" in Press Release

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On 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 bilateral 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 recent local infection cases, 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 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 stance. 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 U.S. State Department also issued a press release on the 6th (local time) regarding the phone call requested by Secretary Pompeo. Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus explained, "Secretary Pompeo and Minister Kang held a phone call to discuss the bilateral response to the COVID-19 pandemic," and "Secretary Pompeo expressed his gratitude to Minister Kang for the close cooperation and information sharing related to COVID-19."

Additionally, Spokesperson Ortagus added, "Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which is the lynchpin of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and worldwide."

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