US: "Inter-Korean Cooperation Projects Should Be Addressed in the US-ROK Working Group"

U.S. State Department Supports Ambassador Harry Harris' Remarks
"Supports Inter-Korean Cooperation but Business Details Should Be Discussed Between South Korea and the U.S."

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of State has come out in support of U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris's statement that inter-Korean cooperation projects should be handled through the Korea-U.S. Working Group.

Earlier, the State Department mentioned the deep trust the U.S. government and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have in Ambassador Harris, and reiterated the official position that the Korea-U.S. Working Group should be utilized, which is interpreted as signaling a halt to the South Korean government's independent inter-Korean cooperation projects.

According to Voice of America (VOA) on the 20th, a State Department spokesperson stated, “The United States supports inter-Korean cooperation and coordinates and consults (with South Korea) through the Korea-U.S. Working Group to ensure that inter-Korean cooperation proceeds in tandem with progress on denuclearization.” The spokesperson claimed, "This has also been reaffirmed by South Korean government officials."

The Korea-U.S. Working Group has been meeting once a month since 2018, alternating between South Korea and the U.S., where officials from both sides discuss inter-Korean cooperation. The Working Group mainly focused on issues related to sanctions against North Korea. This was because the South Korean government's inter-Korean projects, such as humanitarian aid funds for North Korea and the installation of video reunion facilities, required detailed exemptions from U.S. sanctions on North Korea.

However, since the second half of last year when North Korea-U.S. negotiations reached a deadlock, the operation of the Working Group has weakened due to a decrease in agenda items to discuss.

But this year, following President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference and others, when the South Korean government expressed its intention to independently promote inter-Korean cooperation, the U.S. side has again brought up the Korea-U.S. Working Group.

The U.S. side is interpreted as taking the position that even the South Korean government's proposed Gaebyeok North Korea tourism project should be consulted with the U.S. through the Working Group.

A State Department official, seemingly considering the criticism arising in South Korea regarding Ambassador Harris's call for consultations with the U.S. through the Working Group, reiterated that Ambassador Harris represents the U.S. President in Korea and implied that the U.S. position is that discussions on sanctions exemptions and the like must occur through the Korea-U.S. Working Group meetings.

However, the official, seemingly aware of the controversy over Ambassador Harris's remarks, explained, “Ambassador Harris does not question South Korea's sovereignty.” Regarding criticism from the Blue House and the ruling party, the official also stated, "South Korea, our ally, is closely coordinating with us on efforts related to North Korea and is committed to closely coordinating a unified response toward North Korea."