[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Department of State stated that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "has great trust in Ambassador Harry Harris" in response to the controversy over Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, expressing a negative stance on the South Korean government's inter-Korean cooperation plans.
Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said in an interview at the State Department building in Washington D.C. on the 17th (local time), "Ambassador Harris acts according to the will of the Secretary of State and the President," as reported by Voice of America (VOA) on the 18th.
The spokesperson added, "We appreciate the continuation of the important relationship between the two governments and will continue cooperation on such very important and sensitive issues."
Ambassador Harris, during a press briefing with foreign journalists on the 16th, mentioned the possibility of future sanctions regarding the South Korean government's inter-Korean cooperation plans such as individual tours to Mount Kumgang, implying that the U.S. should be consulted first, which has drawn backlash from the Blue House, the government, and the ruling party.
Regarding the South Korean government's push for individual tours to Mount Kumgang, the spokesperson stated, "The U.S. always welcomes positive contributions by South Korea, Japan, or anyone else toward North Korea fulfilling the promises made at the Singapore summit."
However, the spokesperson said they would not specifically mention individual projects as this matter is related to ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea. They also stated that sanctions against North Korea will remain in place until a friendly agreement acceptable to both the U.S. and North Korea is reached, and that the U.S. hopes to achieve such an agreement within this year.
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