Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Discussion on Strengthening 'Extended Deterrence Capability' During President Yoon's US Visit"

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that, coinciding with President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United States at the end of this month, it will discuss ways to qualitatively strengthen the extended deterrence execution capability in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats.

On the afternoon of the 12th, during a briefing submitted to the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, the Ministry stated, "Based on last year's Korea-US summit results, we are pursuing concrete and practical achievements in various fields such as extended deterrence, future advanced technologies, economic security, and human exchanges," adding, "We will also seek cooperation measures in advanced fields including AI (artificial intelligence), quantum, nuclear power, space, and cyber, as well as strengthening economic security cooperation including supply chain stabilization."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden [Photo by Yonhap News]

Furthermore, it was evaluated that during the visit to the US, the Korean and US presidential couples will spend extended periods together across various schedules, fostering a closer and stronger trust and bond. Through this, it is anticipated that the 'Alliance in Action toward the Future' will be realized, protecting the lives and safety of both nations' peoples and upholding core values.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the US centers on the core theme of 'Alliance in Action toward the Future.' President Yoon is scheduled to visit Washington DC and major cities, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "We are reviewing connected cities to visit with a focus on advanced industrial cooperation and exchanges in future innovation sectors."

According to diplomatic authorities, a Korea-US summit and state banquet are scheduled for the 26th of this month, followed by a joint address to both houses of Congress and a state luncheon the next day. Accompanying the president will be key lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties as well as major figures from the economic sector.

Additionally, regarding the provisional sub-regulations on critical minerals and battery components under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for eco-friendly vehicle tax credits, the Ministry stated, "We assess that a significant portion of our companies' demands have been accepted." Regarding future response measures, it explained, "During the 60-day public comment period on the battery provisional sub-regulations, the government and industry will jointly respond through close communication, including whether to submit additional government opinions."

Request for Verification of Fukushima Contaminated Water… Protest Against Textbook Distortion

Contaminated water tanks installed inside the Fukushima nuclear power plant [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported on current Korea-Japan relations. First, concerning the Fukushima contaminated water issue, which Japan is expected to begin discharging into the ocean between this spring and summer, it stated, "We are continuously pursuing communication and consultations with Japan at the bilateral level." At the multilateral level, it added that it is continuously requesting transparent and objective verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is discussing the participation of stakeholders including our government.

Regarding the announcement last month by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the results of elementary school textbook screening, it pointed out, "Despite recent flows toward improving Korea-Japan relations, unjust territorial claims over Dokdo and attempts to distort history continue." In this regard, it said that the First Vice Minister summoned the acting Japanese Ambassador to Korea to lodge a protest and responded firmly, adding that after analysis by the Northeast Asian History Foundation in the second half of this year, a correction request will be delivered to Japan.