1. On August 28, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with a delegation from the US House of Representatives, which included Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce, and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including the ROK-US alliance, North Korea and its nuclear issue, and the ROK-US FTA.

※ Delegation from the US House of Representatives (five Representatives): Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce (Republican/California), Chairman of the House Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Ted Yoho (Republican/Florida), Representative Ami Bera (Democratic/California), Representative Brad Schneider (Democratic/Illinois), and Representative Jennifer Gonzalez (New Progressive Party/Puerto Rico)

2. Minister Kang explained that the ROK and the US have been closely working together in a range of areas, including political, security and economic affairs, and that the two countries are especially maintaining close cooperation on North Korea policy, including the implementation of the UN Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea (2371) adopted in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

o Minister Kang said that the ROK and the US are making joint efforts to deter North Korea’s additional provocation, and also exerting diplomatic efforts to induce the North to take the right path towards denuclearization. She spoke highly of the US Congress stressing the need for diplomatic approach, as well as sanctions and pressure on North Korea.

3. Chairman Royce said that their visit to the ROK was to reaffirm the importance of the ROK-US alliance and the strong allied defense posture, and that close cooperation between the ROK and the US has played a key role in the international community’s united and swift responses to North Korea’s continued provocations.

o The US delegation emphasized China’s role in solving the North Korean nuclear and missile problem, and pointed out that it is inappropriate for China to continue economic retaliation against the ROK over the THAAD deployment, rather than focus on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.

4. Minister Kang explained in detail what the ROK-US FTA, which is at the center of the bilateral economic alliance, symbolizes and what it has achieved economically, and asked for the US Congress’s continued interest and support.

o Chairman Royce said that the ROK-US FTA, which is creating various benefits, is being strongly supported in different areas of the US. Chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Yoho also said that the FTA is bringing benefits to both sides, including the rising trade and investment in various sectors, and said that the US Congress will continue to provide all possible support.

5. The visit to the ROK by the US delegation, most of whose members, including Chairman Royce, a representative pro-ROK member of the US Congress, belong to the Korea Caucus, served as an opportunity to reaffirm the US Congress’s strong support for the ROK-US alliance, and cooperation between the two countries on the North Korean nuclear issue.


* unofficial translation