Jeong Eui-yong "US-ROK Joint Exercises Should Be Held, But Large-Scale Drills Carry 'Multiple Implications' for the Korean Peninsula"

Foreign Minister nominee Chung Eui-yong appeared at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 5th, responding to the members' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Eui-yong, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed that the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises scheduled for next month should be conducted, but he also took a cautious stance, noting that large-scale exercises carry various implications for the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

At the confirmation hearing before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 5th, Jeong stated, "Because large-scale joint exercises have various implications for the situation on the Korean Peninsula, we are in very close consultation with the U.S. side."

This remark appears to reflect concerns that large-scale joint exercises could provoke North Korea. Jeong acknowledged the necessity of the exercises, saying, "To maintain defense posture, joint exercises at an appropriate level must continue."

Regarding Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea's question that "due to the COVID-19 crisis, a reduction in the scale of the exercises seems inevitable," Jeong responded, "Considering such circumstances, the South Korea-U.S. military authorities are currently in close consultation on how to conduct the exercises."

Jeong also viewed North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's commitment to denuclearization positively. In response to a related question from Cho Tae-yong, a member of the People Power Party, Jeong mentioned Kim's promise to open the Yongbyon nuclear facility to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), indicating a will for denuclearization. He assessed that references to military power in the recent 8th Party Congress were intended to maintain negotiation leverage.

When Cho asked, "Did you confirm Kim Jong-un's will for denuclearization during your visit to North Korea in March 2018?" Jeong answered affirmatively, adding, "If the security situation on the Korean Peninsula is fully guaranteed, (he agreed to) give up nuclear weapons."