South Korean and U.S. Governments to Continue Consultations on Declaration of End of War

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 17th that South Korea and the United States have agreed to continue consultations on advancing the Korea peace process, including a declaration to formally end the Korean War.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister, exchanged broad views for over an hour on the Korea-US alliance, Korean Peninsula issues, regional and global matters during the Korea-US Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the 16th (local time) in Washington DC with Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State.

Immediately after the Korea-US Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release stating, "The two deputy ministers evaluated that communication and cooperation at all levels are being carried out seamlessly regarding ways to advance the Korea peace process, including the declaration to formally end the Korean War, and agreed to continue discussing practical measures to bring North Korea to the dialogue table."

The US Department of State also stated in its press release, "Both sides discussed their shared commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and North Korea issues," and "emphasized that trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan is essential in responding to international challenges of the 21st century."

It added, "Both sides reaffirmed that the Korea-US alliance is a core pillar of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond."

During the meeting, additional discussions were reportedly held regarding the declaration to formally end the Korean War, which is in the final stages of negotiation.

However, unlike the South Korean government's press release mentioning consultations on the declaration, the US Department of State's press release did not specifically mention it, indicating a slight difference in tone.

Earlier, on the 14th, Vice Foreign Minister Choi told reporters at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC regarding the Korea-US declaration discussions, "I think there will be good results soon," and added, "During this visit to the US, we will review what has been discussed so far once again."

Meanwhile, on the 17th, Vice Foreign Minister Choi is scheduled to hold the Korea-US-Japan Deputy Ministers' Meeting followed by a Korea-Japan Deputy Ministers' Meeting. A joint press conference is planned after the Korea-US-Japan Deputy Ministers' Meeting.

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