Attendance at National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Unification, and Security Questioning
"Precondition for Denuclearization Talks Is Dialogue with Han"
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul responded to the possibility of North Korea conducting a nuclear test before the U.S. presidential election by saying, "Many experts say there is such a possibility."
Minister Cho made this remark on the afternoon of the 10th during a National Assembly interpellation session on foreign affairs, unification, and security, in response to a related question from Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party.
Minister Cho said, "Many people say that (North Korea) might attempt some form of major provocation to attract attention."
When asked about the possibility of a 'big deal' denuclearization negotiation between North Korea and the U.S., he said, "If Donald Trump is elected, he might try to engage in dialogue with North Korea in some form," but added, "However, the precondition is dialogue between (the U.S. and) South Korea."
Regarding the question of whether the U.S. policy toward South Korea would change if the administration changes following the U.S. presidential election results, Minister Cho said, "I do not think so."
When Yoon asked if he thought the U.S. policy of eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons might shift to freezing them, Minister Cho replied, "I do not think that will happen."
Instead, concerning the possibility that issues such as the reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea might arise amid difficulties in negotiating defense cost-sharing, he said, "There is a possibility such talk could emerge."
When asked whether the Camp David trilateral summit could be held within this year, Minister Cho said, "There is an agreement and consensus to hold it annually, so I think it will be held within this year," and added, "Diplomatic efforts must continue to maintain the momentum of cooperation among the three countries: South Korea, the U.S., and Japan."
Earlier, the leaders of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan agreed to hold at least one regular trilateral summit annually at Camp David, the presidential retreat near Washington D.C., on August 18 last year.
Regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea, Minister Cho said, "Our president has visited China six times, and President Xi has visited once. Now it is President Xi's turn to come to South Korea," adding, "However, there is no need to rush, nor to be bound by formalities. We will naturally seek an opportunity."
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