Choi Jong-geon, "Korea is an ally of the US and economically very close to China"

Arrival in Washington DC... Meeting scheduled with Steven Biegun, Deputy Secretary of State

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 9th (local time), Choi Jong-geon, the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that South Korea and China have a very close economic relationship, and the ROK-US alliance is the foundation of South Korea's diplomacy and security.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Invited by Steven Biegun, Deputy Secretary of State, Vice Minister Choi, who visited the US, met with correspondents at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC and said in response to the question, "Regarding China, the US will try to draw us in even a little bit, what is your position?" "I don't know what it means to draw us in, but South Korea and the US are allies," and "Being allies is the foundation of our diplomacy and security," adding, "However, we are allies of the US and at the same time geographically close to China and have a very close economic relationship."

He also said, "(Regarding the US) having some vision and roadmap, if we can hear more and share our opinions, we will," and "This is how allies communicate, and it seems somewhat different from the media's expression of 'leaning to one side'."

When asked, "Are you talking about equidistant diplomacy between the US and China?" Vice Minister Choi emphasized, "It is not equidistant," and "Because the alliance is fundamental."

Vice Minister Choi plans to discuss various issues between South Korea and the US through this first visit to the US, which also serves as a courtesy meeting, following a phone call with his counterpart, Deputy Secretary Biegun, on the 2nd.

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