US Embassy in Korea: "Trump Reaffirms ROK-US Commitment to Achieve North Korea FFVD... Expecting Deepened Economic Cooperation"

President Trump Delivers Remarks Immediately After Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk's Credential Presentation Ceremony
Trump Praises "ROK-US Alliance as a Key Pillar of Regional Peace and Security"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] U.S. President Donald Trump, on the occasion of Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk's presentation of credentials, reaffirmed the South Korea-U.S. commitment to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization (FFVD) of North Korea and expressed hope that economic cooperation between the two countries would deepen following the enactment of the revised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last year, the South Korean Embassy in Washington announced on the 7th (local time).

The embassy stated, "President Trump delivered a written congratulatory message immediately after the credential presentation ceremony, welcoming Ambassador Lee's appointment and expressing his commitment to strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance," adding, "He reaffirmed the joint determination of South Korea and the U.S. to achieve the common goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization (FFVD) and also expressed hope that economic cooperation between the two countries would deepen following the enactment of the revised FTA in 2019."

The embassy further explained, "President Trump said that Ambassador Lee's appointment demonstrates the solidity of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and holds significance in various aspects. He evaluated that the alliance, built on shared sacrifices, serves as a linchpin for peace and security in the region and has also developed into a global partnership."

Additionally, Ambassador Lee conveyed his expectation that President Trump would continue to demonstrate leadership in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, to which President Trump responded that he would do so.

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Ambassador Lee presented his credentials to President Trump at the White House. Following protocol, Ambassador Lee attended the ceremony accompanied by his wife and participated in a luncheon hosted by the U.S. Department of State's Chief of Protocol at the State Dining Room after the credential presentation. On that day, including Ambassador Lee, a total of six ambassadors from East Timor, Thailand, Austria, Ukraine, Senegal, and others presented their credentials to President Trump.