South Korea and U.S. to Promptly Launch Sectoral Working Groups on Nuclear Energy, Shipbuilding, and Nuclear Submarines

South Korea and the United States have agreed to promptly launch working-level consultative bodies in various sectors, including nuclear energy, shipbuilding, and nuclear-powered submarines, in order to implement agreements reached between their leaders. However, they did not disclose the specific timing or format of these consultative bodies.

Park Yoonjoo, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Christopher R. Landau, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, are taking a commemorative photo at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. on the 1st (local time). Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Park Yoonjoo, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is currently visiting the United States, met with Christopher R. Landau, Deputy Secretary of State, at the U.S. Department of State on the morning of the 1st (local time) for a vice-ministerial meeting. This was the first high-level meeting between South Korea and the United States since the mutual visits by the leaders of both countries in August and October. At the meeting, Vice Minister Park requested the prompt commencement of U.S.-Korea consultations on procedures for South Korea's civilian uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Secretary Landau responded by saying, "Let us maintain close communication between both sides." The two vice ministers also agreed to work together so that substantive consultations between South Korea and the United States could begin on issues such as nuclear-powered submarines and cooperation in shipbuilding.

However, the press release issued by the U.S. Department of State after the meeting made no mention of nuclear energy or nuclear-powered submarines. The State Department only stated that the two sides discussed the U.S.-Korea Joint Fact Sheet adopted on November 14, adding, "This includes the modernization of the U.S.-Korea alliance, which has been a linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years."

Meanwhile, regarding the detention of Korean nationals in Georgia in September, the vice ministers from both countries acknowledged meaningful progress, such as the establishment of a dedicated visa consultation channel for Korean businesses. Vice Minister Park requested Deputy Secretary Landau's continued attention to ensure smooth and stable visits to the United States by Korean businesspeople and technical personnel. In addition, Vice Minister Park is scheduled to meet separately with officials from the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) and the State Department in charge of Korean Peninsula affairs for a dinner, where they will discuss the faithful implementation of follow-up measures from the summit and exchange views on North Korea policy.

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