First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-geon Visits US from 9th to 11th, Holds First Meeting with Deputy Secretary Biegun on 10th

Discussion on Overall Korea-US Relations and Regional Issues of Mutual Interest

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Choi Jong-geon, the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Washington, D.C., USA from the 9th to the 11th at the invitation of Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, to hold the Korea-U.S. Deputy Foreign Ministers' Consultations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 8th, Vice Minister Choi will meet with Deputy Secretary Biegun, his dialogue partner, in Washington on the 10th (local time) for his first face-to-face diplomacy since taking office.

Spokesperson Kim In-cheol said, "The two vice ministers had their first phone call last week and agreed to meet as soon as possible," adding, "The consultations on the 10th are expected to include broad discussions on overall Korea-U.S. relations and regional situations, as well as mutual interests."

Deputy Secretary Biegun made his first call to Vice Minister Choi on the 2nd, congratulating him on his appointment and inviting him to visit the U.S. as soon as possible.

During this consultation, which will also serve as a courtesy meeting with Deputy Secretary Biegun, Vice Minister Choi is expected to discuss various issues concerning the Korea-U.S. alliance, including the defense cost-sharing negotiations that have been in a nine-month agreement gap. Additionally, discussions are likely to cover the situation on the Korean Peninsula and matters such as South Korea's invitation to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held after the U.S. presidential election in November.

Some speculate that during Vice Minister Choi's visit to the U.S., Deputy Secretary Biegun may convey the U.S. position on the U.S.-China conflict and request South Korea's support. Earlier, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China responsible for foreign affairs, also visited South Korea to communicate China's position on the U.S.-China conflict to the Korean side.

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