1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha spoke over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken for around 30 minutes on the morning of January 27, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including Korea-U.S. relations and Korean Peninsula issues as well as regional and global affairs.

2. Foreign Minister Kang said that the Korean government welcomes the inauguration of Secretary Blinken, who has a deep understanding of Korea-U.S. relations and Korean Peninsula issues, and Secretary Blinken expressed his hope for further solidification of the Korea-U.S. alliance during his term in office.

o Foreign Minister Kang and Secretary Blinken shared the view that the North Korean nuclear issue is a matter that needs to be dealt with urgently in the Biden administration, and agreed to continue close consultations between the two countries to resolve the issue.

o The two sides also agreed to further expand the horizons of the Korea-U.S. alliance by strengthening cooperation in addressing global issues including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Foreign Minister Kang hoped that Korea and the U.S. would continue close communication and coordination, and said that the Korean government looks forward to communication between the new Foreign Minister and Secretary Blinken at the earliest convenience.