1. On the occasion of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Nagoya, Japan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha had a meeting with the head of the United States (U.S.) delegation, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, on the afternoon of November 23. The two sides exchanged views on pending issues, including those regarding the Republic of Korea (ROK)-United States relations, the Korean Peninsula and the region.

2. Minister Kang explained the ROK government’s decision to suspend the effect of the notification to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between the ROK and Japan as well as the background behind the decision. The Minister mentioned that efforts will be made for an early settlement of pending issues between the ROK and Japan, including GSOMIA and Japan’s export restrictive measures, and asked the U.S. government to play a constructive role in the process.

° Deputy Secretary Sullivan welcomed the fact that the ROK and Japan had drawn up the reasonable measure through continued dialogue, affirmed the ironclad ROK-U.S. alliance, and voiced hope for advances in the ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation.

° Deputy Secretary Sullivan also wished for a successful 2019 ASEAN-Republic of KOREA Commemorative Summit. The two sides agreed to continue to step up harmonious cooperation between the ROK’s New Southern Policy and the U.S.’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.

3. Minister Kang and Deputy Secretary Sullivan shared the understanding on the need for an early resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue toward complete denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to continue close collaboration between the ROK and the U.S. to this end.

° Minister Kang and Deputy Secretary Sullivan agreed to continue close communication for a reasonable and mutually beneficial resolution of key issues regarding the ROK-U.S. alliance, including the defense cost-sharing issue.