US Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Visiting Han... Likely to Discuss 'Supply Chain' Over Ceasefire Declaration

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will visit South Korea on the 10th for the first time since his appointment. In addition to the usual diplomatic schedule, economic-related meetings with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy are included, raising the possibility of discussions on the "supply chain restructuring" that the Biden administration is focusing on. During his visit, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will also meet with presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the day, Kritenbrink, who visited Japan from the 7th to the 10th, will arrive in South Korea in the afternoon and spend 2 nights and 3 days until the 12th, holding meetings with South Korean government officials. He will have bilateral talks and lunch with Vice Foreign Minister Yeo Seung-bae on the morning of the 11th, followed by visits to Lee Sung-ho, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy Coordination, and Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, both senior officials overseeing economic diplomacy. A meeting with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong has not been separately arranged.

A notable aspect of Kritenbrink’s schedule is the economic and trade diplomacy agenda. It is reported that, unusually, he will meet not only Lee, who is in charge of economic diplomacy, but also officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. As the Biden administration pushes for "global supply chain restructuring" to counter China, the main focus of this visit is likely to be on economic diplomacy rather than the Korean Peninsula issue. The U.S. State Department also explained the purpose of this trip, stating it "will reaffirm America’s commitment to its allies in response to the most serious global challenges of the 21st century."

During his visit, meetings are also expected with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (on the 11th), and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate (on the 12th). A representative from Lee’s campaign said, "The meeting is being discussed but has not been confirmed." There are concerns that contacting the next presidential candidates while the Moon Jae-in administration is still in office could be seen as inappropriate. As Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink places emphasis on economic diplomacy and meetings with the next presidential candidates, discussions on the government’s ongoing peace declaration initiative are expected to be somewhat deprioritized. Meanwhile, Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk to the U.S. stated on the 9th (local time), "We are exchanging opinions even on the draft of the Korea-U.S. peace declaration," adding, "We are closely consulting on this matter."

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