1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a telephone conversation with her US counterpart Rex Tillerson on November 5, and comprehensively reviewed preparations for US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the Republic of Korea next week (November 7-8).

2. Minister Kang expressed hope that various symbolic events to be held during President Trump’s visit to the ROK, including not only the ROK-US summit, but also his visit to a military base in Pyeongtaek and an address at the National Assembly, will further highlight the strong ROK-US alliance, and close cooperation between the two countries to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means.

o Secretary Tillerson said that the US is also placing great importance on President Trump’s upcoming state visit to the ROK, and expected that the visit will send positive messages, including the firm US commitment to the defense of the ROK, great importance attached to the ROK-US alliance, and strong commitment to denuclearizing North Korea.

3. Secretary Tillerson took note that the ROK and the US are closely working together on the North Korean nuclear issue. He especially welcomed the results of the recent consultations between the ROK and China on improvements in the bilateral relations, and hoped that the diplomatic foundation for solving the North Korean nuclear issue will be strengthened through China’s lifting of economic retaliatory measures against the ROK, and improvements in the ROK-China relations.

4. The Minister and the Secretary expressed satisfaction over the fact that preparations for President Trump’s visit to the ROK are going smoothly on both sides, and agreed to continue real-time communications and coordination between them during the remaining period to make a success of President Trump’s visit to the ROK.


* unofficial translation