Kim Hyun-jong Meets with U.S. Officials, Emphasizes South Korea-U.S.-Japan Cooperation
Candidate Lee Launches Listening Tour in Conservative Strongholds
Kim Hyun-jong, former Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office and now the foreign affairs and security advisor to Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, visited the White House in Washington, D.C. to convey Lee's foreign policy and security vision. Observers note that the visit aims both to alleviate U.S. concerns regarding security and alliance issues should the Democratic Party take power, and to lay the groundwork for negotiations with the United States in the event of a new administration.
According to the Democratic Party and other sources on May 8 (local time), Kim met with senior White House officials and conveyed Lee's stance on strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance and enhancing trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan. After the meeting, Kim told reporters, "Candidate Lee believes the South Korea-U.S. alliance is extremely important, that it should be strengthened and upgraded as much as possible, and that cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan also needs to be reinforced."
It is unusual for a key aide to a leading presidential candidate to meet directly with White House officials and deliver the candidate's position so close to the election. Regarding his consultations in the United States, Kim said, "It could be seen as unusual," adding, "I believe it is an important procedure to meet early and confirm that our views on the issues are similar."
The reason Kim emphasized South Korea-U.S. security and alliance during the meeting appears to be in consideration of concerns raised in some U.S. circles about the potential implications if Lee were to take office. Recently, in an interview with the British weekly The Economist, Lee responded that he had "no objections" to South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, including the Camp David agreement, signaling efforts to ease such concerns.
Amid escalating U.S.-initiated tariff disputes, the visit is also interpreted as laying the foundation for negotiations that would take place if the next administration comes to power. Kim also heads the Trade Security Task Force (TF), which was established to address U.S. tariff issues.
Kim stated, "Regarding the tariff issue, I mentioned that as an ally of the United States and a country with a free trade agreement (FTA), especially in the area of auto parts tariffs, we need to resolve the matter at a level we can accept."
He continued, "About 67% of South Korea's trade surplus with the United States comes from automobiles and auto parts, so I emphasized the importance of this sector," adding, "I also explained the need to consider South Korea's role in other areas, such as shipbuilding and security."
With the mutual tariff grace period imposed by the United States on 57 economic entities, including South Korea, set to expire in early July, Kim remarked, "It seems more time will be needed for negotiations between South Korea and the United States." It was reported that the U.S. official nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, candidate Lee Jae-myung has launched the "3rd Alley-to-Alley Listening Tour" in the Yeongnam region, which will run for two days starting May 9. On the first day, he will visit Gyeongju, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting is being held, as well as Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Gimcheon, Seongju, and Goryeong, completing the first day of his one-night, two-day itinerary in Yeongnam. On the second day, May 10, he will visit Changnyeong, Haman, Uiryeong, Jinju, Sacheon, and Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province.
Meeting with Gyeongju citizens, Lee stated, "Rather than facing the risk of extinction, the local city of Gyeongju must once again rise as a magnificent city where its brilliant culture flourishes globally as a new millennium capital." He added, "There are rumors that APEC preparations have been somewhat inadequate, so I have asked the National Assembly to pay close attention to this matter as well."
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