The Three Key Figures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Make Consecutive Visits to the US... Unraveling Diplomatic Issues

Minister Kang Kyung-wha Meets with Pompeo
Discusses Hormuz Deployment and North Korea Issues
Ambassador Jung Eun-bo Also to Negotiate Defense Costs on 14-15th: "Maintain Existing Framework, Derive Creative Alternatives"
Director Lee Do-hoon Holds North Korea Nuclear Talks with Biegun

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shake hands at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The pace is quickening for the three key figures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss South Korea-US diplomatic issues. Following Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Special Representative for South Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiations Jung Eun-bo, Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, will visit Washington DC from the 15th to the 18th (local time) to hold talks with Steven Biegun, US Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, as the chief representatives for North Korea nuclear issues. This marks the start of a crucial week to resolve pressing matters such as the deployment of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea-US defense cost-sharing negotiations, and the North Korean denuclearization process.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th, Director Lee is scheduled to hold the first South Korea-US chief representative talks on North Korea nuclear issues this year with Deputy Secretary Biegun starting on the 15th. The chief representatives will share assessments of the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss cooperation measures to achieve substantial progress toward complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Peninsula.

This meeting is drawing attention as it takes place shortly after it was revealed that US President Donald Trump sent a congratulatory letter to North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un on his birthday. Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Advisor, also conveyed his desire to continue the Stockholm talks from last October through contact with North Korea. Considering various circumstances, expectations for the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue have increased compared to before.

Additional negotiations on the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) for defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the US, which expired at the end of last year, will also be held over two days from the 14th to the 15th. As this is the sixth round of negotiations for the 11th agreement and must be finalized by the end of March, both sides face the challenge of quickly narrowing their differences. Furthermore, more specific agenda items added beyond the existing SMA cost-sharing provisions?such as the costs for US troop rotational deployment on the Korean Peninsula and costs for extraterritorial training?are likely to be discussed at the negotiation table to bridge the gap between the two sides.

On the 13th, Special Representative Jung met with reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington DC and said, "We are narrowing opinions on various issues, but it is also true that there are still differences in achieving a comprehensive agreement," adding, "We are striving to come up with creative alternatives."

He reiterated the intention to maintain the existing SMA framework while negotiating specific details. Jung said, "We aim to maintain the SMA framework and produce a mutually acceptable negotiation outcome," adding, "We will minimize the agreement gap through a prompt settlement." Regarding President Trump's remark that "we paid an additional $500 million," he commented, "Since President Trump has mentioned this matter several times, I do not think there is a significant change in the situation."

Foreign Minister Kang will also hold South Korea-US foreign minister talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo starting on the 14th. Above all, she is expected to actively share opinions with the US side regarding joint defense of the Strait of Hormuz. At Incheon International Airport before departing for the US, Minister Kang told reporters, "The government is still reviewing," and "We will listen to the US perspective." She added, "Comprehensive consultations will likely cover North Korea issues, bilateral matters, and recent Middle East issues," and "The discussions this time will serve as a reference for the government's decision."

Meanwhile, on the 9th, President Trump held a surprise meeting with Chung Eui-yong, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, at the White House, emphasizing a "strong alliance," which was interpreted as indirect pressure regarding the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

After concluding the Korea-US-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea (center), Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State (right), and Taro Kono, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, are holding a joint press conference on the 14th at the International Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@