US Deputy Secretary of State: "South Korea and US to Strengthen Cooperation Following Indo-Pacific Strategy"

Steelwell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific, Mentions Ahead of Pompeo's Asia Tour
"Enhance Quad Cooperation to Counter China's Coercion and Increased Aggression"
No Specific Remarks on North Korea Response

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated on the 2nd (local time) regarding Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's upcoming Asia tour next week, "We (South Korea and the U.S.) will continue to enhance cooperation on regional and international issues under the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy." Since the tour is for discussions on the Quad, often called the 'Asian NATO,' it is expected that he will strongly urge that "South Korea also participate."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Assistant Secretary Stilwell said in a phone briefing about Secretary Pompeo's Asia visit next week, "We welcome South Korea's increasing contributions to foreign aid and encourage its continuation."

When asked whether Secretary Pompeo would discuss North Korea during his visit to South Korea, Stilwell replied, "We have a very productive relationship with South Korea and there will be much to discuss."

Regarding the deadlocked U.S.-South Korea defense cost-sharing negotiations, he only responded, "Discussions are ongoing and will continue."

Assistant Secretary Stilwell mentioned the Quad foreign ministers' meeting of the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India held in Tokyo during his visit to Japan, saying, "The Quad seeks to establish, promote, and maintain principles in the Indo-Pacific amid China's increasing coercion and aggression."

He added, about whether a joint statement would be issued at this Quad foreign ministers' meeting, "There will be a joint press conference, but it seems unlikely that a joint statement will be issued."

This can be seen as a sign that even among the four Quad countries, there is not yet a consensus strong enough to produce a joint statement.

The Quad meeting is expected to discuss cooperation measures to counter China, and attention is focused on whether the U.S. will increase its requests for South Korea's contributions.

Meanwhile, Secretary Pompeo announced on the same day that despite President Donald Trump's COVID-19 infection, he will proceed with his planned Asia visit as scheduled.

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