Kang Kyung-wha and Pompeo agree to continue cooperation on stabilizing Korean Peninsula situation

Posted on : 2020-11-11 16:38 KST Modified on : 2020-11-11 16:38 KST
S. Korean foreign minister has luncheon meeting with US secretary of state in Washington
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after their luncheon meeting at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on Nov. 9. (provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after their luncheon meeting at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on Nov. 9. (provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed plans on Nov. 9 to continue cooperating on stabilizing the geopolitical situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Kang and Pompeo had a luncheon and meeting at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, that day, where they discussed South Korea-US relations, the political situation of the Korean Peninsula, and other regional and global issues.

“The two ministers agreed on the need to continue efforts to develop the bilateral relationship and advance the Korean Peninsula peace process based on a robust South Korea-US alliance, as well as to communicate and hold discussions among South Korean and US foreign affairs officials at every level,” MOFA said.

“With regard to Korean Peninsula issues, the two ministers shared their assessments of the current situation and emphasized the importance of continuing close cooperation between our two countries to maintain the Korean Peninsula situation on a stable footing,” it added.

Kang and Pompeo shared the view that the South Korea-US alliance has established itself firmly as a comprehensive strategic alliance involving increased cooperation on economic, regional, and global issues as well as security-related ones, and exchanged views on various issues connected with the alliance.

The two ministers further shared views on the election of the World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general -- which South Korean Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee has been contending for -- and agreed to continue their discussions on the issue.

In a press release, the US State Department said the two ministers had “reaffirmed the enduring strength and importance of the US-ROK Alliance, the linchpin to peace and security for the Indo-Pacific region.”

“During the meeting, Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang discussed bilateral and regional priorities, including coordination on ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and expanding cooperation through the US Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ROK New Southern Policy,” it added.

Kang arrived in the US on Nov. 8 for a four-day visit at Pompeo’s invitation. She was also scheduled to meet with US Congress officials on Nov. 10. She reportedly pushed to meet with figures associated with interim President-elect Joseph Biden. Sources reported that she was exploring meeting with Democratic Party Senator Chris Coons of Delaware -- a longtime friend of Biden’s who took over his Senate constituency -- and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, who is being mentioned as a possible candidate to become the first-ever female defense secretary. But in remarks to reporters on Nov. 8, Kang said, “Even if we do meet, they’re going to be cautious, so we won’t be making anything public.”

By Hwang Joon-bum, Washington correspondent

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]

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