Minister Kang Kyung-wha: "Even if Biden is elected, there will be no complete return to 'strategic patience'" (Comprehensive)

"Basically agree on peaceful resolution including denuclearization through cooperation and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula"
US presidential election results "It is still a sensitive situation to say who is definitive"
Plan to visit the US "The Trump administration lasts until January 20 next year... will closely cooperate until then"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attended the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting 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 that it is a sensitive situation to speak definitively about the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, but even if Democratic candidate Joe Biden is elected, North Korea-U.S. relations will not return to square one.

On the 5th, Minister Kang attended the full meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee abroad and responded to a question from Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who expressed concerns that North Korea-U.S. negotiations might revert to the starting point if Biden is elected. She said, "I believe that the agreements and intentions publicly declared by North Korea, the South Korean government, and the U.S. leadership will not return to square one," adding, "I am confident that there is a shared understanding of the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance, close cooperation for denuclearization, and peaceful resolution such as permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Kang continued, "Based on past achievements, we will make every diplomatic effort to ensure that North Korea-U.S. dialogue is resumed through close coordination and that the denuclearization and permanent peace we pursue are achieved."

Regarding a question from Representative Kim about whether Biden’s use of terms like nuclear capability reduction and nuclear cuts as conditions for North Korea-U.S. dialogue during the election period means he would not insist on the existing 'Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantlement (CVID),' Minister Kang replied, "It is premature to speak definitively," explaining, "We have dealt with the North Korean nuclear issue based on a comprehensive agreement and phased implementation framework, and interpreting the candidate’s words within this comprehensive framework suggests there could be solutions we can pursue together."

In response to a question from Lee Tae-gyu of the People’s Party about the potential impact on the government’s denuclearization strategy if the U.S. Democratic Party insists on strategic patience or a bottom-up approach during the North Korean denuclearization process, she said, "Even if a Democratic administration returns, it is too early to assume a complete return to past strategic patience."

However, Minister Kang noted that since the U.S. presidential vote counting is ongoing and President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits to halt counting and requested recounts in key battleground states, increasing uncertainty, it is too early to make assumptions about the final result.

Minister Kang said, "It is still a sensitive situation to say who is definitive," adding, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formed a U.S. election task force (TF) to monitor election trends and is reviewing various scenarios based on possible outcomes." She continued, "Regardless of who wins, we have well-established communication channels," noting, "There are multiple official lines with the Trump administration, and we have also established several channels with Biden during the election process."

Regarding whether the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy will continue, she replied that they will observe the situation. Minister Kang said, "Regardless of the election outcome, we will coordinate our diplomatic issues in cooperation with the U.S. side," adding, "How to accept, operate, or continue the Indo-Pacific strategy is something we need to watch."

On plans to visit the U.S. after the election, she said scheduling is underway. Minister Kang explained, "Although there is confusion after the election, the Trump administration remains until January 20 next year," adding, "We are maintaining close communication as before, and regarding summit diplomacy, we are preparing to send congratulatory messages to the president-elect after the results are confirmed."

Regarding the timing of congratulatory messages and summit calls, she said, "It seems the election results will take time to be finalized, and several states have moved to litigation," adding, "There will be a point when the outline becomes clear, and we will ensure the results are confirmed as soon as possible and that summit calls are conducted promptly."

On the possibility of contact with Biden campaign officials during her visit to the U.S., Minister Kang said, "There will be opportunities to meet bipartisan leaders in Congress during the Washington visit," adding, "This has happened in the past and will happen this time as well."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

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