South Korea-US Foreign Ministers Closely Coordinate Views on Korean Peninsula Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The foreign ministers of South Korea and the United States have begun coordinating their views on the Korean Peninsula issue.

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is walking out after paying respects at the Memorial Tower at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Jin-hyung Kang aymsdream@

On the morning of the 12th, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong had a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, exchanging opinions on mutual interests including the Korea-U.S. relationship, the Korean Peninsula issue, and regional and global matters.

This was the first communication between Minister Chung and Secretary Blinken since Chung's official inauguration ceremony on the 9th.

During the approximately 40-minute call, the two ministers reaffirmed that the Korea-U.S. alliance is a linchpin for peace, stability, and prosperity in Northeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and worldwide, and agreed to continue developing the alliance to contribute to addressing global issues and promoting shared values.

They also agreed to hold a high-level consultation on current issues as soon as possible. Considering the COVID-19 situation, this is interpreted as a move to expedite both the Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting and a summit.

The ministers emphasized close cooperation to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and agreed on the importance of sustained Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.

They also discussed resolving the long-standing stalemate over the Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing issue promptly.

Earlier, Secretary Blinken had a phone call with then-Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on the 27th of last month, shortly after his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

At that time, unlike the U.S. State Department, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press release did not specifically mention trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan, but the current press release includes the phrase "agreed on the importance of sustained Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation."

The U.S. State Department also stated in its press release that Secretary Blinken congratulated Minister Chung on his inauguration and pledged a full partnership to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Regarding the Korea-U.S. alliance, it was described as a linchpin for peace, security, and prosperity across Northeast Asia, the free and open Indo-Pacific region, and the world.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary Blinken also emphasized the importance of ongoing Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation and the necessity of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, according to the State Department.

In response to these reactions from both countries, Minister Chung is expected to engage in close consultations with the U.S. on Korean Peninsula issues following his inauguration.

At a meeting with reporters on the 9th, Minister Chung stated, "Achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as early as possible is a shared goal between Korea and the U.S., so coordinating opinions on how to achieve that should be very easy."

When asked how he would persuade the U.S. to resume North Korea-U.S. talks based on the Singapore Agreement, he said, "This issue is a very core task that can no longer be postponed."

Minister Chung emphasized, "Although there are various agendas between Korea and the U.S. recently, fundamentally, I believe there is no significant difference in positions between the two countries. Because the alliance relationship is strong, even if there are some differing opinions, I believe there will be no major problems in coordinating them."

This remark is interpreted as being conscious of domestic views that differ from the U.S. perspective, following Minister Chung's recent statement at a confirmation hearing that he believes in North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's willingness to denuclearize.

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