Ambassador Harris Targets 'Buk Gaebyeol Gwangwang' This Time: "To Avoid Triggering Additional Sanctions, Consultation with the US Is Necessary"

After Mentioning "Hope for Hormuz Deployment," Renewed Fire
Remarks Following President Moon Jae-in's New Year Press Conference and ROK-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting Cause Stir
Lee Do-hoon Heads to US for ROK-US North Korea Nuclear Talks Including Inter-Korean Cooperation Projects

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, reopened fire immediately after a series of diplomatic ministerial talks between South Korea-U.S., South Korea-U.S.-Japan, and South Korea-Japan concluded in San Francisco, USA. Following his remarks expressing hope for the dispatch of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, he now insisted that the South Korean government must sufficiently consult with the U.S. regarding inter-Korean cooperation projects, such as North Korea's individual tourism initiatives proposed to advance inter-Korean relations.

On the 16th, Ambassador Harris held a press briefing with foreign media at an undisclosed location in Seoul and stated, "It would be better to handle this through the South Korea-U.S. working group to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions." This was essentially a statement putting the brakes on the initiatives announced by President Moon Jae-in in his New Year's address and press conference.

Ambassador Harris said, "President Moon Jae-in's optimism is encouraging and creates hope," but regarding the South Korean government's push for North Korean individual tourism, he emphasized, "It is important for Washington and Seoul to closely consult with each other."

During the briefing, Harris prefaced his remarks by saying they were not the official position of the U.S. government, yet he repeatedly stressed the need for consultation with the U.S. Moreover, he appeared to pressure the South Korean government by highlighting the necessity to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions. After President Moon's New Year's address on the 7th, Harris also emphasized in an interview with domestic media that "projects such as Kim Jong-un's reciprocal visit or the UNESCO World Heritage registration of the Demilitarized Zone must be discussed with the U.S."

The U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, while presenting his personal views, directly put the brakes on the South Korean government's plans to improve inter-Korean relations, which is expected to spark controversy. Notably, these remarks came right after President Moon's New Year's address and press conference, as well as Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the United States.

President Moon said regarding inter-Korean cooperation projects, "Individual tourism and similar activities do not violate international sanctions and can be explored." According to North Korea-focused media NK News, Ambassador Harris acknowledged that tourism could be permitted even under sanctions but noted, "Certain items taken when traveling for tourism may not be allowed under sanctions." Foreign Minister Kang also stated, "In broad terms, it is fundamental that North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean dialogues complement each other and proceed in a virtuous cycle," but added, "At certain points, North Korea or South Korea may take the lead."

Meanwhile, Lee Do-hoon, Director-General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traveled to the U.S. from the 15th to the 18th (local time) for South Korea-U.S. senior representative talks on North Korea's nuclear issue. At Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C., Lee told reporters, "We will discuss North Korean individual tourism with the U.S.," adding, "It is not prohibited by the UN Security Council sanctions themselves." He further said, "What is needed now is to frankly explain each other's positions and seek mutual understanding, and that is what we intend to do."