Kim Jin-pyo and Pelosi Meet Today... Korea-US Congress Discusses 'Economic and Security' Cooperation

Chairman Kim Jin-pyo to Meet with US House Speaker Pelosi Today... Park Hong-geun and Kwon Seong-dong to Attend

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Koo Chae-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The message to be released immediately after the meeting between National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to include cooperation plans on economy and security. Attention is also focused on whether discussions will take place on the resolution marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance, security issues related to China, and the possibility of joining the U.S.-led semiconductor supply chain consortium ‘Chip4’ (U.S., Korea, Japan, Taiwan).

According to the National Assembly on the 4th, the two speakers met around 11:50 a.m. and discussed three key issues for 50 minutes: ▲economic cooperation, ▲Indo-Pacific regional security, and ▲climate crisis, followed by a ‘joint press release.’ The meeting was attended by Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and a luncheon was held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly. The 70th anniversary resolution of the Korea-U.S. alliance, economic cooperation, and the climate crisis were the main agenda items at this meeting.

However, it is unlikely that the meeting between the two speakers will produce any direct pressure messages against China. A National Assembly official said, “We will announce symbolic content reflecting the intentions of both parliaments regarding the Korea-U.S. alliance resolution, economic cooperation, and security.” This reflects Korea’s position of seeking diplomatic solutions amid deepening U.S.-China conflicts, especially after Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan despite strong opposition from China.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In political circles, concerns have been raised about President Yoon Suk-yeol only having a phone call with Speaker Pelosi. It is seen as unusual and abrupt that President Yoon is excluded while Pelosi is actively engaging in high-level diplomacy in Asia. In fact, Pelosi has met heads of state in all her visited countries except Korea. She met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. She is also scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 5th.

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized on social media, saying, “One might think it’s because of trying to appease China,” and added, “Inconsistent diplomacy since the early days of the new administration, which emphasized the Korea-U.S. alliance, does not help national interests.” He questioned, “What would people think if the president does not meet the U.S. congressional representative while attending a play in Daehangno and having an after-party?” He also said, “It is undesirable that the leader of an allied parliament visits the JSA, the frontline of our security, without meeting the president.”

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won also appeared on radio the same day, saying, “It doesn’t make sense that Pelosi, the third highest-ranking U.S. official, came to Seoul but President Yoon, who is in Seoul, does not meet her.” He added, “I think they must meet, and China will understand if President Yoon has taken such a cautious approach.” Park predicted, “I expect a sudden meeting with Speaker Pelosi today.”

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