O'Brien to Visit Korea in November... Blue House "Strong Reaffirmation of the ROK-US Alliance" (Comprehensive)

National Security Office Chief Suh Hoon Returns from US Visit
Blue House Evaluates "Strong Reaffirmation of ROK-US Alliance"
"Diplomatic Channel Consultations Continue for Defense Cost Agreement"
Yoo Myung-hee Requests US Support for WTO Director-General Election

From the 13th to the 16th, Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, visited the United States and met with Robert O'Brien, National Security Advisor to the White House. On the 14th (local time), Advisor O'Brien posted a photo taken with Director Suh at the White House on the National Security Council (NSC) Twitter account and announced the meeting, saying, "It was a pleasure to meet my friend and colleague, Director Suh, today."

Robert O'Brien, the U.S. National Security Advisor, has conveyed his intention to visit South Korea in November, the Blue House announced on the 18th. Seo, the National Security Office Director, visited Washington from the 13th to the 16th upon invitation from the U.S. government. He met with high-ranking U.S. officials including Advisor O'Brien and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as key figures from academia, to discuss recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral issues of mutual interest.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, stated in a written briefing that "During this visit to the U.S., Director Seo reaffirmed the U.S. side's unwavering support and trust in the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and discussed various ways to develop the alliance in a future-oriented manner based on shared values."

Director Seo was expected to have taken steps to coordinate at a high level regarding recent disagreements between South Korea and the U.S. Recently, differences in views have emerged over issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control, defense cost-sharing, and the maintenance of U.S. forces in South Korea.

Spokesperson Kang evaluated, "The significance of Director Seo's visit lies in the mutual reaffirmation of the strong Korea-U.S. alliance," adding, "Both sides agreed to continue consultations through diplomatic channels to promptly conclude negotiations on defense cost-sharing."

There was no specific explanation from the Blue House regarding the 'Declaration of the End of War' mentioned by President Moon Jae-in in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on the 23rd of last month.

Kang also said, "Both sides shared assessments of recent developments such as North Korea's military parade and engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to resume North Korea-U.S. dialogue and achieve substantive progress to realize complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establish lasting peace."

National Security Office Director Suh Hoon is signing the guestbook on the afternoon of the 15th (local time) at the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC before meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Discussions were also held regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation.

Spokesperson Kang said, "The U.S. side highly praised South Korea for its effective quarantine measures during this COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a model for the international community," and added, "Both sides agreed to cooperate in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments going forward."

Support from the U.S. side was also requested for Yoo Myung-hee, the Chief Trade Negotiator at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who advanced to the final round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election.

Kang stated, "Our side requested support for Yoo Myung-hee as a candidate for WTO Director-General, and the U.S. side agreed to seriously consider our request."

Close coordination at the level of the National Security Offices of both countries, conducted ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November, is planned to continue after the election as well.

Kang said, "Director Seo will continue face-to-face and virtual consultations with Advisor O'Brien and the Korea-U.S. and Korea-U.S.-Japan National Security Advisors to carry on in-depth discussions," adding, "Director Seo extended an invitation to Advisor O'Brien to visit South Korea, and Advisor O'Brien expressed his intention to visit in November."

The specific schedule for the visit has not yet been determined. A senior Blue House official said, "The timing will depend on various circumstances going forward," but added, "It is likely to be after the (November) election."

Regarding Secretary Pompeo's visit to South Korea, the official stated, "There is nothing to announce yet about Secretary Pompeo's visit," and expressed the intention to disclose information when the situation allows. Previously, Secretary Pompeo was scheduled to visit South Korea in October but the visit was abruptly postponed due to U.S. President Donald Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis and other reasons.

National Security Office Director Suh Hoon and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are taking a commemorative photo on the afternoon of the 15th (local time) at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, before their meeting.

Meanwhile, the Blue House did not issue a special statement regarding North Korea's criticism of Kim Hyun-jong, the Deputy Director of the National Security Office, related to his visit to the U.S., conveyed through North Korean external propaganda media. Spokesperson Kang reaffirmed the existing stance that "the government does not respond individually to reports from North Korean propaganda media."

On the same day, the North Korean propaganda media Mea-ri criticized Deputy Director Kim for expressing willingness to purchase nuclear fuel during his visit to the U.S. last month, calling it a "reckless provocation." In an article titled "Know Your Place Before You Act," Mea-ri claimed that Kim met with senior U.S. officials and "begged for nuclear fuel necessary for operating a nuclear-powered submarine," labeling it a "reckless provocation that destroys peace on the Korean Peninsula and causes regional tension escalation and an arms race."

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