Sean O'Neill, the U.S. State Department's Senior Official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who is the first high-ranking U.S. diplomatic official to visit South Korea since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, stated that the Trump administration places great importance on the U.S.-ROK relationship.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 13th, Senior Official O'Neill held a series of meetings with senior officials from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasized that the Trump administration attaches significant importance to the U.S.-ROK relationship and the Indo-Pacific region. He also extended his congratulations on President Lee Jaemyung's election and the launch of South Korea's new government.
On this day, Senior Official O'Neill met with Cho Gurae, Director-General for Foreign Policy Strategy, in the morning, and with Kim Heesang, Economic Diplomacy Coordinator, in the afternoon, to discuss ways to strengthen U.S.-ROK cooperation.
He stated, "The U.S.-ROK alliance is based on shared democratic values, deep economic and social ties, and a close security partnership," and added, "Let us work together to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all areas, including North Korea, economic security, and expanding mutual investment."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that both sides exchanged views on ongoing tariff consultations between the two countries and agreed to actively cooperate to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership.
The U.S. Department of State, through a post on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Korea, stated, "Senior Official O'Neill is visiting Korea from the 12th to the 13th," and added, "He met with senior Korean officials to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance and the U.S. commitment to the defense of Korea."
The State Department further noted, "Senior Official O'Neill emphasized the need to further advance the modernization of the alliance, focusing on various shared economic and security objectives, including efforts to address common regional threats."
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