Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "US Secretary of State Blinken's Confirmation Imminent... Both Countries' Foreign Ministers Preparing for Communication"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is preparing various measures, including communication, in line with the confirmation of Tony Blinken, the nominee for Secretary of State under the Biden administration.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the afternoon of the 26th, "Once Blinken's confirmation is completed, we expect a phone call with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to take place promptly."

Blinken's confirmation, who will lead the Biden administration's foreign policy, has already passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is now awaiting a vote in the full Senate. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "We are preparing various things, including communication with the new Secretary of State Blinken," adding, "The very first step will be a phone call between the foreign ministers of South Korea and the United States." The confirmation process is expected to be completed around early morning on the 27th, Korean time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also preparing for the confirmation hearing of nominee Chung Eui-yong for Foreign Minister. The official said, "Regarding the hearing preparations, a candidate confirmation hearing task force (TF) has been formed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, centered on the Planning and Coordination Office," and added, "The key issue is when the hearing will be scheduled, which we predict to be around the latter half of next week."

They also revealed that negotiations are ongoing with Iran, which is detaining a South Korean vessel. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "We are continuing to request consular assistance, early release of the detention, and submission of evidence and other materials," and added, "The Iranian side has requested understanding, saying that they are currently compiling the materials to be promptly provided to the Korean side within Iran, so we ask for a little more patience."