[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Following her visit to Japan, Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, visited South Korea on the 22nd and held discussions on North Korea dialogue issues after meeting with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and President Moon Jae-in in succession.
The Blue House stated that President Moon met with Deputy Secretary Sherman at 11 a.m. that day and engaged in talks regarding North Korea issues, the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and regional and global matters.
President Moon told Deputy Secretary Sherman, "I hope you will play a significant role and contribute greatly to the South Korea-U.S. alliance and peace on the Korean Peninsula," and urged, "Please actively work toward the resumption of North Korea-U.S. talks."
Deputy Secretary Sherman said, "We expect North Korea to respond promptly to the U.S. offer for dialogue," and added, "We hope to continue closely coordinated efforts with South Korea on North Korea policy." She also mentioned her intention to hold in-depth discussions on North Korea policy with Chinese officials during her visit to China. According to the U.S. State Department, Deputy Secretary Sherman will visit China on the 25th and 26th, meeting with Chinese officials including Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister, in Tianjin.
Deputy Secretary Sherman also proposed, "Let South Korea and the U.S. work together on global issues such as climate change," and President Moon responded, "We are currently preparing to announce an enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)."
Following the presidential meeting, National Security Office Director Suh Hoon also met with Deputy Secretary Sherman and engaged in in-depth discussions on follow-up implementation plans for the resumption of inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. talks and the comprehensive strengthening and development of the South Korea-U.S. alliance based on the outcomes of the South Korea-U.S. summit.
Before visiting the president, Deputy Secretary Sherman met with Minister Chung around 10 a.m. that day and exchanged views on follow-up measures from the South Korea-U.S. summit, as well as Korean Peninsula, regional, and global issues.
Minister Chung said, "I am pleased that Deputy Secretary Sherman, who is well-versed in the South Korea-U.S. alliance and North Korean nuclear issues, has assumed the position of Deputy Secretary of State," and Deputy Secretary Sherman replied, "The U.S. highly values the South Korea-U.S. alliance as a core pillar of peace, stability, and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and this visit was undertaken in that context."
Both sides reaffirmed the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace, as confirmed by the leaders during the South Korea-U.S. summit, and agreed that diplomacy and dialogue are essential to achieving these goals. They also agreed to continue close cooperation at all levels between South Korea and the U.S. to bring North Korea to the dialogue table. Additionally, they exchanged views on major global issues such as the Myanmar situation and climate change.
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