Blue House: "Jeong Dongyoung’s Remarks Not a Leak of Classified Information" ... "South Korea and U.S. Should Return to Normal Cooperation Quickly"

“Differences in South Korea-U.S. Perspectives Exist, Resolution May Take Time”

On Coupang Issue: “A Corporate Matter Only... Security Negotiations Should Proceed Separately”

Strong Concern Over Politicization of Sensitive Security Issues... Calls for Restraint

The Blue House reaffirmed its previous position regarding the controversy over Unification Minister Jeong Dongyoung’s remarks on North Korea’s nuclear facilities, reiterating that “no information received from the United States was leaked.” However, it acknowledged that there are differences in perception between South Korea and the United States, and stated that resolving these differences may take some time. The Blue House also emphasized that while the Coupang issue is indeed affecting South Korea-U.S. security consultations, the security negotiations should be advanced independently. In addition, it expressed strong concern and urged restraint toward the People Power Party and others for excessively politicizing sensitive security-related issues.

Seongrak Wi, Director of the National Security Office, is holding a briefing on President Lee Jae-myung's state visit at the Korea Press Center in a hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 23rd (local time), Sangrak Wi, Director of the National Security Office, held a press conference at the press center set up in Hanoi, Vietnam, and stated, “President Lee Jaemyung’s remarks on X (formerly Twitter) were meant to clarify that Minister Jeong did not leak information received from the United States, and that arguments and discussions based on the premise of a leak of classified information are misguided. That is the government's position.” He added, “We are coordinating various opinions within the government and proceeding with follow-up measures.”

While on a state visit to India on the 20th, President Lee wrote on X, “It is an undeniable fact that the existence of the Guseong nuclear facility was already widely known around the world through various academic papers and news reports before Minister Jeong’s remarks on the ‘Guseong nuclear facility.’ Any claims or actions based on the premise that Minister Jeong ‘leaked U.S. classified information’ are wrong.” He continued, “We need to look closely into why such absurd developments are happening.”

Director Wi also addressed the basis for Minister Jeong’s remarks about North Korea’s uranium enrichment facility in Guseong city, saying, “As Minister Jeong and the Ministry of Unification have explained several times, he was referring to information obtained through various channels, including open sources. That is also how the government sees it.”

However, Director Wi did not deny the existence of differing perspectives between South Korea and the United States. He explained, “Minister Jeong maintains that his remarks are unrelated to information from the United States, and says he has never heard such information. Minister Jeong insists he was only referring to what he obtained from other open sources, whereas the United States appears to believe that information they provided was leaked.”

Accordingly, Director Wi stated that consultations between South Korea and the United States to resolve these differences have been ongoing since before the media reports, but that it may take some time to fully resolve the issue. He said, “There has been considerable communication between the two countries since this issue arose. Both sides are trying to find a kind of exit.” He continued, “We are in frequent contact with the United States regarding this matter. There have been direct communications with Minister Jeong, and both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I have also been in contact with the U.S. While I believe that we should return to normal cooperation as soon as possible, it may take some more time.”

Regarding the Coupang issue, Director Wi stated that although it is affecting South Korea-U.S. security consultations, it should be managed as a separate matter. He said, “The Coupang issue is a corporate matter,” but acknowledged, “The current situation is that Coupang’s issue is indeed impacting South Korea-U.S. security consultations.” He added, “We are having extensive discussions with the United States on the position that the Coupang issue should proceed according to legal procedures, while security negotiations should make progress independently.” Furthermore, he said, “It is also true that security consultations are being delayed. We believe that such delays are not helpful to the overall alliance, so our position is that they should resume as soon as possible.”

Jeong Dong-young, Minister of Unification, is moving to meet Park Injun, Chairperson of the Korean Council of Religious Leaders for Peace (KCRP), at Suwoon Hall in Jongno, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, Director Wi drew a clear line against interpreting the controversies surrounding Minister Jeong’s remarks and the Coupang issue as signs of an abnormal trend in overall South Korea-U.S. relations. He stated, “The relationship between South Korea and the United States is an alliance and a very close partnership, so various issues may arise from time to time. The current issues are just some of those.” He added, “It is an excessive interpretation to view the current situation as the result of accumulated abnormal trends.”

Director Wi also expressed concern over the People Power Party and others excessively politicizing these issues. He said, “If these matters become overly controversial and politicized domestically, it could hinder the swift resolution and return to normalcy. While there are some differences in perception and understanding, it is important to coordinate through consultations and find a way forward.” He emphasized, “Excessive domestic controversy does not help us find a way forward.”

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