1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met separately with Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Finance Ron Wyden (Democrat/Oregon/four-time lawmaker) and US Representative Adam Kinzinger (Republican/Illinois/two-time lawmaker) on August 4. In the meetings, Foreign Minister Yun exchanged views on a range of issues, including the ROK-US alliance, North Korea and its nuclear issue, and the situation in Northeast Asia.

2. Minister Yun stated that the ROK-US relationship, which is at its highest point in some 60-year history, is serving as a linchpin for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, building upon the ROK-US alliance and the KORUS FTA. He added that the relationship is developing into a global partnership.

o Furthermore, Minister Yun highlighted the importance of nuclear cooperation between the ROK and the US. He also explained the ROK’s position on North Korea and its nuclear issue, as well as issues in Northeast Asia, and requested the US Congress’ interest and support.

3. In his meeting with Foreign Minister Yun, Chairman Wyden agreed on the importance of the ROK-US alliance and expressed much interest in reunification on the Korean Peninsula. The Chairman also said that he will visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on August 5 and experience the situation on the divided Korean Peninsula for himself.

o Chairman Wyden is not only the head of the Committee on Finance, one of Committees that have strong influences in the US Congress, but also actively engaged in legislative activities in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Budget Committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and other Committees. He visited the ROK as part of his Asia trip to enhance his understanding of regional and global security issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

4. Representative Kinzinger is from Illinois, which has the most developed nuclear industry in the US. In his meeting with Minister Yun, Representative Kinzinger expressed firm support for the ROK-US alliance and especially emphasized the need to strengthen nuclear cooperation between the ROK and the US.

o Representative Kinzinger is visiting the ROK from August 3 to 6 under the Congressional Member Exchange Program, a program the Foreign Ministry launched to invite members of the US Congress to the ROK. The Representative, one of forty future leaders in the US political arena selected by TIME magazine, is also a member of the Korea Caucus in the US House of Representatives. 


                           Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation