Minister Kang Kyung-wha: "It's too early to confirm the US presidential election results... Preparing regardless of who wins"

"Biden's Election Will Not Return North Korea-US Relations to Square One"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attended the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 5th and spoke with Song Young-gil, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, before the meeting began. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated regarding the U.S. presidential election vote count, "It is still premature to make a definitive conclusion."

On the 5th, Minister Kang appeared at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session and responded to independent lawmaker Kim Tae-ho's question about how she anticipated the U.S. election results by saying this. She added, "Regardless of the outcome, we are continuing close Korea-U.S. cooperation while coordinating our diplomatic issues."

In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-joo's question about preparations in case Democratic candidate Joe Biden wins, Minister Kang explained, "We formed a U.S. election task force (TF) to monitor developments and reviewed various scenarios for possible outcomes."

Minister Kang further emphasized that no matter which candidate wins, they will continue communication using the channels established so far. She said, "Whether Biden is elected or President Donald Trump wins re-election, we have communication channels we have cultivated," adding, "We will continue Korea-U.S. cooperation using those channels."

Regarding concerns that if Biden wins, North Korea-U.S. relations might revert to square one due to Trump-style top-down diplomacy, she said, "Biden’s side agrees that through Korea-U.S. cooperation, denuclearization of North Korea and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula must be achieved," and added, "I do not think North Korea-U.S. relations will return to square one."

Meanwhile, concerning the schedule for the planned visit to the U.S. after the election, she responded that the schedule is being adjusted.

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