Former US Ambassador Stevens: "Korea Likely Worried About 'Seoul Passing' in US-Russia Peace Talks"

Kathleen Stephens, Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea
Possibility of Direct U.S.-North Korea Summit
Concerns Over 'Seoul Passing' Similar to U.S.-Russia Talks Excluding Ukraine

Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens predicted that if U.S. President Donald Trump focuses on future Pacific regional policies and attempts direct talks with North Korea, concerns about 'Seoul passing' will grow within South Korea.

Stevenseu, Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea

On the 19th (local time), Stephens made this remark during a discussion hosted by Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in response to a question about South Korea's perspective on the U.S.-Russia ceasefire negotiations excluding Ukraine.

She said, "It is likely that not only the U.S. but also Asia will perceive that Trump may somewhat downplay relations with the Atlantic (Europe)," adding, "because he will focus on the Pacific." She further added, "I am confident that concerns about Seoul passing will be quite high in South Korea."

There is speculation that President Trump is likely to engage in direct talks with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, as he did during his first term, and that in this process, South Korea, a key party, could be excluded, similar to the recent high-level U.S.-Russia negotiations for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Stephens said, "Whether Seoul passing occurs depends on the relationship President Trump has with the South Korean president and how that relationship develops," adding, "Over the past several decades, bipartisan support for alliances has deepened in the U.S., and I hope this institutional framework will help overcome the unconventional stress and tensions that Trump’s diplomatic style may cause."

She also mentioned that tariff measures by the second Trump administration and the potential reduction or repeal of benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the CHIPS Act, implemented during the previous Joe Biden administration, will become major issues for South Korea in its relations with the U.S.

Stephens explained, "We need to watch what decisions the Trump administration will make regarding the implementation of several initiatives presented in these laws and other legislation."