Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "North Korea-US Dialogue Must Be Led by South Korea"

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Diplomatic authorities stated that if North Korea-US talks are realized during the second term of President-elect Donald Trump's administration, they should be conducted under South Korea's leadership and through a process that reflects South Korea's position.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on the 12th, "The important thing is that even if (the US) engages in talks with North Korea, it should be done under our leadership and through a process that reflects our position," adding, "Since the situation is uncertain, all possibilities must be kept open and consultations should be held."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump (right) during the summit with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June 2018. Yonhap News Agency

Regarding the possibility of arms control negotiations between North Korea and the US, the official said, "There is a perception that the opportunity for denuclearization talks is diminishing and that it is becoming a lower priority, but this is different from actual policy movements," emphasizing, "There should be no doubt about the denuclearization goals of South Korea and the US." This is interpreted as a caution against concerns that Trump’s re-election might lead to acceptance of North Korea’s desired status as a nuclear-armed state instead of denuclearization.

On whether South Korea's 'value diplomacy' will continue under the 'America First' Trump administration focused on national interests, the official assessed, "Even if national interests are emphasized under the banner of American nationalism, it is unlikely that the US will move forward while ignoring the basic geopolitical framework." He added, "The focus of consultations will be on making necessary policy adjustments within a broad framework, protecting what cannot be compromised, and narrowing differences through such efforts."

The official avoided giving a definitive answer regarding Trump’s declaration to end the Ukraine war and South Korea’s consideration of providing weapons support to Ukraine, stating, "There will be policy coordination between South Korea and the US during the launch process." Additionally, on the possibility of North Korean military prisoners of war coming to South Korea in the future, he said, "All possibilities are being kept open, and since it is a government matter to review this under international law, everything is being examined."

Regarding preparations for an 'early meeting' between President Yoon Suk-yeol and President-elect Trump, the official said that in a phone call shortly after the election, Trump first mentioned "meeting as soon as possible," but no specific date or location has been decided yet. He also identified uncertainty as a 'risk factor' for South Korea under the Trump administration and noted that "if interests align, actions can be faster" as an 'opportunity factor.'

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol is holding a press conference with reporters at the Joint Briefing Room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, earlier that day at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul expressed confidence that "the South Korea-US alliance will be firmly maintained and strengthened under the second Trump administration," adding, "The policy direction of President-elect Trump, who values expanding the role of allies and contributing to security, aligns with our vision of a global pivotal state that fulfills roles and responsibilities commensurate with our national power and status."

Minister Cho explained, "The first Trump administration was the first US administration to actively promote the Indo-Pacific strategy," and "The free and open Indo-Pacific order and alliance relationships emphasized through the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy largely coincide with the diplomatic stance of the Yoon Suk-yeol government." He emphasized, "Based on these policy intersections, we aim to further strengthen cooperation through detailed policy coordination."