US State Department: "Trust in Harris, Inter-Korean Cooperation Coordinated Through Working Group"... Managing Controversy Over Harris

"Do Not Question South Korean Sovereignty, U.S. Supports Inter-Korean Cooperation"
"Denuclearization Must Proceed in Tandem"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As criticism from the Blue House and political circles grew over Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, making cautionary remarks about inter-Korean cooperation projects mentioned by President Moon Jae-in, the U.S. State Department has expressed support for Ambassador Harris and is attempting to ease tensions.

On the 19th (local time), according to Voice of America (VOA), a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department said, "The State Department fully trusts Ambassador Harris, who is working to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and represent U.S. President Donald Trump." They added, "No one, including Ambassador Harris, especially him, questions South Korea's sovereignty."

This stance from the State Department actively supports Ambassador Harris's remarks that inter-Korean cooperation projects should be handled through the South Korea-U.S. working group. The State Department further stated, "The United States supports inter-Korean cooperation and coordinates and consults with (South Korea) through the South Korea-U.S. working group to ensure that inter-Korean cooperation proceeds in tandem with progress on denuclearization." The official claimed, "This has also been reaffirmed by South Korean government officials."

This appears to leave room for coordination if South Korea proposes inter-Korean cooperation within the existing South Korea-U.S. working group. It emphasizes that discussions within the working group do not mean obstructing South Korea's sovereignty but rather providing a framework for coordination and consultation, seemingly attempting to ease related controversies.

The South Korea-U.S. working group has been meeting monthly 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 and the installation of video reunion facilities, required the U.S.'s detailed sanction waivers.

However, since the second half of last year, when North Korea-U.S. negotiations stalled, the working group's activities have weakened due to a decrease in agenda items. Amid this, earlier this year, following President Moon's New Year's press conference and other events where the South Korean government expressed its intention to independently pursue inter-Korean cooperation, the U.S. side also began to mention the South Korea-U.S. working group again.

Regarding Ambassador Harris's remarks, the Blue House expressed "deep regret," calling them "very inappropriate," and Song Young-gil, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the remarks, raising his voice by asking, "Are you the Governor-General of Joseon?"