Minister Kang Kyung-wha's First Phone Talk with US Secretary of State Blinken: Shared Concern on Urgent North Korea Nuclear Issue

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha shared the view that the North Korean nuclear issue is urgent during her first phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Kang exchanged opinions on mutual interests such as Korea-U.S. relations, the Korean Peninsula issue, regional and global matters during a 30-minute phone call with Secretary Blinken on the morning of the same day.

Secretary Blinken began his official duties in Washington D.C., U.S., starting with teleconferences with key allied counterparts including South Korea.

Minister Kang told Secretary Blinken, “Our government welcomes Secretary Blinken’s appointment, who has a deep understanding of Korea-U.S. relations and the Korean Peninsula issue.”

In response, Secretary Blinken said, “I hope to further strengthen and develop the Korea-U.S. alliance during my term.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Both ministers agreed that the North Korean nuclear issue must be urgently addressed under the Biden administration and decided to closely consult between the two countries to resolve this issue.

They also agreed to expand the horizon of the Korea-U.S. alliance by strengthening cooperation to address global issues such as climate change and the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Minister Kang said, “I hope to continue close communication and cooperation between Korea and the U.S. as before,” and added, “I look forward to early communication with Secretary Blinken once Foreign Minister nominee Chung Eui-yong assumes office.”

Nominee Chung, Kang’s successor, is expected to hold a phone call with Secretary Blinken in early to mid-next month after his confirmation hearing and inauguration.

Meanwhile, on the 26th (local time), the U.S. Senate approved the confirmation of nominee Blinken as the first Secretary of State under the Biden administration.