[Exclusive] New National Security Office Chief Jo Taeyong Attends Yoon-USTR Representative Meeting as First Schedule

President Yoon's National Security Office Chief Begins Work Within Half a Day
May Share Views on Democracy Summit, IRA, and Trade Issues

New National Security Office Chief Cho Tae-yong will attend the meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), on the 30th. As his first schedule after being appointed as the new National Security Office Chief, Cho is expected to share his views on the outcomes of the recently opened Summit for Democracy and on Korea-US cooperation plans.

According to the presidential office on the 30th, President Yoon will meet with Representative Tai at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in the morning. Representative Tai visited Korea to attend the 2nd Summit for Democracy held on the 29th and 30th, which is hosted by the United States with Korea as a co-host.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At this meeting, Cho, who was appointed as the new National Security Office Chief the day before, will be present. It will be only half a day since President Yoon accepted the resignation of former National Security Office Chief Kim Sung-han and appointed his successor, and Cho will immediately begin assisting the president. A senior official from the presidential office stated, "As a top expert on US affairs, having served as the first ambassador to the US under the Yoon administration, there is absolutely no problem with him starting work immediately," adding, "We plan to proceed smoothly with preparations for the Korea-US summit and other matters."

During the meeting with Representative Tai, President Yoon is expected to discuss the themes of the Summit for Democracy and the reactions of participating countries. There is also a possibility that they will exchange views on sensitive bilateral trade issues such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the CHIPS Act.

Before returning to Korea, on the 20th, Cho also met with Representative Tai to discuss current issues including President Yoon's upcoming visit to the US next month, negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the Semiconductor Science Act. In August last year, after the enactment of the US IRA, when concerns were raised about discriminatory provisions against Korean electric vehicles, Cho personally toured the US government, Congress, and local authorities to persuade them of Korea's position.

In particular, Cho was appointed as the first ambassador to the US after the launch of the Yoon administration in May last year and has been active in line with the government's policy of "strengthening and developing the Korea-US alliance." Until recently, he has also been directly and indirectly involved in President Yoon's state visit to the US and the "70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance" commemorative projects. The official added, "Since he has a high level of understanding of bilateral issues, he will participate in the meeting and luncheon to exchange various opinions."

The presidential office holds the view that there will be no work gap as the appointment of the new National Security Office Chief was urgently needed three weeks before President Yoon's state visit to the US, and a well-vetted figure was quickly appointed as his successor. In line with this, President Yoon is reported to have appointed Cho Hyun-dong, the first vice foreign minister, as the new ambassador to the US. President Yoon plans to appoint Vice Minister Cho as ambassador to the US and request agrement (prior consent for diplomatic envoys) from the US administration.