"It is time to provide momentum to facilitate follow-up working-level consultations"
"We have established task forces and made various preparations"
Attention on whether dialogue will advance the 'Korean Peninsula Peace and Coexistence Process'
"Seeking ways to draw North Korea into a process of dialogue and tension reduction"
On suggestions of conflict between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification over North Korea policy: "The government will respond to external issues with 'one voice'"
National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak will visit Washington, D.C. to discuss follow-up measures to the U.S.-South Korea Joint Fact Sheet (JFS). The National Security Office has established task forces on enriched uranium, nuclear-powered submarines, and defense budget to implement agreements reached between the leaders of South Korea and the United States, and is now prepared for working-level consultations. There is also interest in whether this visit to the U.S. will foster dialogue that could advance the 'Korean Peninsula Peace and Coexistence Process.'
Before departing for the United States on December 16, Advisor Wi met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and said, "It has been about a month since the Joint Fact Sheet was created. In the meantime, we have established task forces and made various preparations." He added, "The issues included in the Joint Fact Sheet, such as uranium enrichment and reprocessing or the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, are significant matters involving multiple departments. Therefore, I believe it is time for the National Security Advisors or National Security Chiefs of both countries, who oversee diplomatic and security affairs, to engage in dialogue and provide momentum to facilitate follow-up working-level consultations."
Wi also stated that discussions on the Korean Peninsula Peace and Coexistence Process are planned. He said, "There has been significant progress in South Korea-U.S., South Korea-Japan, and South Korea-U.S.-Japan relations, and there has also been progress in restoring relations between South Korea and China. Based on these achievements, we intend to make further efforts on the issue of peace on the Korean Peninsula." He continued, "President Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump have discussed the roles of 'peacemaker' and 'pacemaker.' We will coordinate the details on how to proceed with these role adjustments and how to cooperate moving forward." He added, "We will seek ways to draw North Korea into a process of dialogue and tension reduction."
During his visit, Advisor Wi will hold a series of meetings with his counterpart, U.S. Secretary of State and White House National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, as well as senior officials from the Department of State and the Department of Defense. In these meetings, he is expected to review the implementation of the Joint Fact Sheet, which contains agreements reached at the recent South Korea-U.S. summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, and coordinate next year's bilateral security and diplomatic roadmaps. Wi stated, "In the case of the nuclear cooperation agreement, many working-level consultations are required for follow-up measures," and added, "The Ministry of National Defense is in charge of nuclear-powered submarines, and I intend to discuss how the U.S. side is preparing." He further noted that, since new agreements will require a legal foundation, related consultations will be pursued.
There is also interest in whether working-level consultations to implement the extended deterrence commitment and the principle of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as confirmed at the South Korea-U.S. summit, will be discussed during Wi's visit. The two countries are likely to share assessments of the recent security environment, including North Korea's short-range ballistic missile launches, new tactical weapons development, and the possibility of military cooperation with Russia. They may also discuss in detail the operation of extended deterrence measures, strengthening joint exercises, and information sharing. In addition, as the U.S. has recently strengthened its 'security and economic package' initiatives with allies and partners through the National Security Strategy (NSS), this visit is expected to cover a wide range of issues, including joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime security, and the reorganization of supply chains for critical minerals, defense, and advanced technologies.
In particular, diplomatic circles view the outcome of this visit as a barometer for the possible resumption of U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korean dialogue next year. Through consultations with the U.S., Advisor Wi is expected to review the positions of both countries on relations with neighboring countries such as China, Japan, and Russia, the North Korean denuclearization roadmap, phased trust-building measures, and sanctions, and to report to President Lee Jaemyung on the direction for activating diplomatic channels after his return. Wi stated, "Regarding U.S.-North Korea dialogue, I intend to consult with the U.S. side first," and added, "I am also considering consultations with the United Nations (UN)."
Regarding recent suggestions of conflict between the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over North Korea policy, Wi acknowledged, "It is true that individual ministries have their own opinions," but added, "The National Security Council (NSC) is conducting extensive discussions and coordination, and the government will strive to respond to external issues with 'one voice.'"
Earlier, on December 15, a day before his departure, Advisor Wi requested bipartisan support for various diplomatic and security issues at a breakfast meeting of the National Assembly's 'Bipartisan Forum for Advanced Diplomacy.' During the closed-door meeting, he reportedly mentioned the revision of the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement and the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, stating that "the marathon discussions between the two countries on nuclear cooperation and nuclear-powered submarines are just beginning." He also emphasized that, as the U.S. is closely monitoring the possibility of South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons, parliamentary diplomacy is more important than ever and urged the National Assembly to speak with one voice.
At the meeting, Wi also addressed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), stating, "We are paying the price for delaying our accession," and expressed the view that further delays are no longer acceptable. He noted that, amid changes in U.S. trade policy under President Donald Trump, South Korea and Japan should expand their space for cooperation through the CPTPP, and stressed the need for 'practical diplomacy centered on national interest,' which is different from the strategic ambiguity maintained in the past amid U.S.-China competition.
Regarding the omission of the phrase 'North Korean denuclearization' in the recently announced U.S. NSS, Wi reportedly assessed that "it cannot be considered disadvantageous to South Korea based solely on the wording." He suggested that, since South Korea has played a proactive role in areas such as increasing the defense budget and trade negotiations, the environment for future South Korea-U.S. security negotiations will not be unilaterally disadvantageous. Wi plans to confirm and coordinate with the U.S. side based on the contents of the NSS.
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