1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on October 14. In the conversation, the two sides reviewed the preparations being made for US President Donald Trump’s visit to the ROK in a few weeks, and coordinated their opinions on key issues between the ROK and the US.

2. Secretary Tillerson said that as the White House announced on September 29, the US has high expectations for its President’s trip to East Asia, as it will become an opportunity to strengthen alliances in the region and cooperation in dealing with North Korea and its nuclear issue. He stressed that the US will work together more closely with the ROK during the remaining time to ensure a successful first visit to the ROK by President Trump.

o Secretary Tillerson said that President Trump will further deepen friendship and trust with the ROK President during his visit to the ROK, and that the US President also has a keen interest in events that can clearly show the strength of the ROK-US alliance, unwavering US commitment to the defense of the ROK, and solidarity between the people of the two countries.

3. Minister Kang said that the Korean people have a keen interest in and high expectations for President Trump’s visit to the ROK, and that the ROK government is preparing protocol for treatment with respect and courtesy that befits the importance the two countries are placing on the visit, as well as a substantive and well-organized schedule. She especially explained that the ROK is making thorough preparations, with a focus on ways to bring a turning point in the North Korean nuclear issue and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula based on close collaboration between the ROK and the US.

4. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to continue close communications, including further coordination of details regarding President Trump’s visit to the ROK through the ROK-US vice ministerial-level security dialogue, to be held next week, and other various channels.


* unofficial translation