[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister, stated that there are several possibilities regarding the Korea-US-Japan summit to be held during the Group of Seven (G7) summit in the UK from the 11th to the 13th.
Visiting the United States last month to discuss follow-up measures after the Korea-US summit, Vice Minister Choi said this on the 8th (local time) at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC while meeting with correspondents.
Regarding whether the Korea-US-Japan summit will be held during the G7 summit, Vice Minister Choi said, “As far as we know, we are currently not pursuing it,” adding, “However, since this G7 summit is not spatially larger than previous G7 meetings or multilateral meetings, there could be various possibilities.”
He continued, “We are open and actively considering the Korea-US-Japan summit, but officially, there is nothing planned at the summit level,” and explained, “The White House’s explanation is accurate.”
Earlier, Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said the day before that regarding the Korea-US-Japan summit during the G7 summit, “Currently, there is no plan for a trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea, but in that small space in Cornwall, UK, anything is possible.”
Vice Minister Choi’s remarks are interpreted as the Korea-US-Japan governments keeping a trilateral summit in mind. If the Korea-US-Japan leaders meet during this meeting, it will be the first trilateral summit in 3 years and 9 months since 2017.
Regarding the purpose of this visit to the US, Vice Minister Choi emphasized, “I will review various matters in the Korea-US summit joint statement,” and added, “Some follow-up measures from the Korea-US summit are being well implemented, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department will look more closely and manage follow-up areas that require acceleration.”
He also said, “Since it is my first face-to-face meeting with my counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, it will be an opportunity to coordinate various things, and we will exchange opinions freely and broadly,” adding, “Deputy Secretary Sherman has a lot of experience, so I will listen to various talks including those related to North Korea and also give my opinions.”
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