US-ROK Foreign Ministers Meeting Begins... Discussions Expected on North Korea, Hormuz Deployment, and More

Foreign Minister Kyung-hwa is entering the United States through San Francisco International Airport on the 13th (local time). Minister Kang is scheduled to attend the Korea-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the 14th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The foreign ministers of South Korea and the United States met on the 14th (local time) in Palo Alto near San Francisco, USA. Amid expectations of exchanging views on ways to lead North Korea-US dialogue, the US side imposed sanctions on companies and facilities that supported the dispatch of North Korean overseas workers.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began their talks at 9:55 a.m. (2:55 a.m. KST on the 15th) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palo Alto.

The two ministers are expected to discuss ways to bring North Korea to dialogue amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s announcement of “shocking actual actions” and provocations of new strategic weapons.

Earlier, Secretary Pompeo emphasized North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un’s “right decision” in a lecture held in San Francisco the previous day, stating, “The United States does not pose a security threat to North Korea.” He particularly mentioned a “bright future,” clearly expressing willingness for dialogue. Previously, Robert O’Brien, White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor, also revealed that dialogue proposals had been made to the North through various channels.

Although the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on North Korean companies involved in dispatching overseas workers and lodging facilities in China on the same day, this is also interpreted as a minimal pressure card for dialogue.

Minister Kang is expected to have requested US cooperation on inter-Korean cooperation projects announced by President Moon Jae-in in his New Year’s address.

Separately from North Korea-US relations, discussions are also presumed to have taken place regarding instability in the Middle East triggered by Iran. The general consensus is that there will be some form of discussion about South Korea’s dispatch of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, as requested by the US.

However, just before departure, Minister Kang took a cautious stance on the government’s position regarding joint defense of the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “The government is still reviewing that issue,” and “I will listen to the US side’s thoughts.”

Meanwhile, immediately after this South Korea-US foreign ministers’ meeting, South Korea-US-Japan foreign ministers’ talks and South Korea-Japan foreign ministers’ talks will be held in succession.