Seoul:South Korea and the United States are in agreement on their approach to North Korea and remain dedicated to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho highlighted during a parliamentary audit of the foreign ministry that both nations have solidified their joint policy stance through multiple summit meetings. The countries are committed to coordinating efforts to bring North Korea back to dialogue and negotiations. Cho emphasized the importance of encouraging China and Russia to play constructive roles in the process.
Addressing concerns about a potential shift in U.S. policy towards goals other than denuclearization, Cho reassured that the U.S. government has reaffirmed its commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump avoided specifying denuclearization as a goal in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Cho also mentioned the significance of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in November and the impact they may have on the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He stated that the South Korean foreign ministry would monitor the election results closely and work to strengthen support for the alliance in the U.S. Congress.
On relations with China, Cho indicated plans to engage in high-level discussions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen in November. He noted the importance of managing sensitive issues like Taiwan to maintain positive bilateral relations.
Seoul is also in communication with Russia, expressing concerns over military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and advocating for its suspension. Cho mentioned that clarifying facts about private agreements with Ukraine, particularly concerning two North Korean POWs, is essential for bilateral relations. The South Korean government seeks an explanation and apology from Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disclosure of the transfer of the POWs to Seoul.