Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

March 15, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have two announcements to make.

First, as initially planned, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha left the country for Washington, the US, earlier today for a visit from March 15 till 17. On March 16, the Minister will meet with acting Secretary of State John Sullivan.

In the face of such big issues as the North Korean nuclear issue as well as those concerning the bilateral alliance, economy and trade, the Republic of Korea and the United States share the understanding that it is important that despite the personnel reshuffle in the US, the ROK Foreign Ministry and the US Department of State communicate closely and thereby remain highly cooperative with each other. Amid this, the US government voiced expectation for the Foreign Minister’s visit to the US to take place as originally planned. Accordingly, the ROK government decided to make the ministerial visit to the US happen and to hold a meeting between the Minister and acting Secretary of State Sullivan.

During her visit to the US, the Minister will also meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other key members of the House as well as the Senate, during which she will ask for the US Congress’ ceaseless support for and cooperation on the efforts to beef up the ROK-US alliance and peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue as well as on economic and trade issues.

Again, the Minister will discuss the North Korean nuclear program and other main issues between the ROK and the US with major Representatives and Senators who have played leading roles on Korean Peninsula-related issues: Among them will be House Speaker Paul Ryan; Chairman Cory Gardner of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy; Chairman Ed Royce of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Chairman Ted Yoho of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Lastly, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will visit Brussels, Belgium, from March 18 till 20 to attend a meeting of the EU’s Informal Foreign Council on March 19 at the invitation of the EU.

Minister Kang’s participation in the Informal Foreign Council meeting will mark the first of its kind by an ROK Foreign Minister.

The EU’s Informal Foreign Council, which holds a meeting on a monthly basis chaired by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mogherini and bringing together foreign ministers of EU member states, invites figures of non-EU countries to its meetings only when there are important issues.

The invitation of the ROK Foreign Minister to the meeting reflects the EU’s keen attention to and support on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the ROK-EU cooperation.

At the forthcoming EU meeting, Minister Kang will share with the participating EU foreign ministers the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and the progress in the inter-Korean relations, asking for the EU’s ceaseless support for and cooperation on the ROK government’s efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

The Minister will also shed light on the overall ties between the ROK and the EU, which will mark in 2018 the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations; and discuss with the other top diplomats the ROK’s diplomacy toward Europe and ways to step up cooperation between the ROK and the region.

On the sidelines of the EU meeting, Minister Kang will meet bilaterally with High Representative Federica Mogherini and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

That concludes my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: Before Minister Kang’s departure (to the US) earlier today, March 15, Secretary of State Tillerson was dismissed, followed by the reference to Pompeo as his successor. Before the Minister’s departure earlier today, did the ROK government contact the US government to schedule a meeting between the Minister and (Secretary of State nominee) Pompeo? If not, why did it not?

A: Basically speaking, during her visit to the US, Minister Kang will hold a meeting with acting Secretary of State Sullivan. For your information, as a practice, US nominees refrain from meeting with foreign officials (before formally taking office).

Q: Has the timing been set for a meeting with Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser?

A: The Minister plans on meeting with adviser Ivanka Trump.

Q: Has it been finalized?

A: Yes, it has.

Q: I have another question. The Foreign Ministry announced yesterday, March 14, that a director-general-level security dialogue would take place between the ROK and Japan today, March 15. The meeting came in three years since its latest round. What is the significance of or background behind this meeting coming in three years?

A: Let me check on it further and then share with you what I can.

Q: Could you specify the timing of the (Foreign Minister’s) meeting with White House adviser Ivanka Trump as well as topics to be discussed there?

A: With more fine-tuning still needed on the timing of the meeting, I will consult with relevant bureaus and then share with you what I can.

Q: Can you only share with us at this point that a meeting will take place?

A: Yes. The only thing I can tell you is that the plan for the meeting has been finalized.

Q: I have another question. With the proposed US-North Korea summit talks imminent, Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho of North Korea is highly likely at this point to head to Sweden. What does the ROK make of such North Korean moves as this?

A: I myself have read relevant press reports. Let me tell you that on North Korea-related matters, the ROK government is communicating and coordinating closely with the governments of the US and other relevant countries. Let me add that there is nothing, though, that we can verify for you with regard to the information in those press reports themselves.

Q: Concerns have been raised over the possibility that the dismissal of the reportedly pro-dialogue moderate Secretary of State Rex Tillerson might hinder not only the US-North Korea but also the inter-Korean dialogue from happening. What measures, if any, has the ROK government drawn up to take under such circumstances?

A: Basically, the decision regarding the US-North Korea dialogue was made by the US President. Accordingly, we expect that dialogue to happen and there to be no particular changes.

Q: On her way out of the country earlier today, Minister Kang referred to the plan and the need to maintain the momentum built through the visit to North Korea (by a special ROK delegation). An announcement on the preparation for the forthcoming inter-Korean summit talks will come later today at the earliest. What do you think the Foreign Ministry’s role will be in preparing for the inter-Korean summit talks after the members of the preparatory committee are appointed?

A: Basically, after the preparatory committee is formed, the Foreign Ministry will take part in its activities. As you must be aware, the Foreign Ministry, with the Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs in its personnel pool, is the government agency overseeing denuclearization-related matters. So, I believe that the Foreign Ministry has much to contribute in terms of denuclearization and many other matters that may be up for discussion between the ROK and North Korea.

Q: Does the Foreign Minister plan on visiting EU member states after attending the meeting of the EU’s Informal Foreign Council?

A: At this point, the Minister has no plan other than visiting Brussels.

Q: Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho of North Korea is said to have arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on (March) 15 and to likely visit Sweden. Some raise the possibility of the North Korean Foreign Minister meeting with US officials in Sweden. What does the Foreign Ministry know and what is its expectation about this?

A: I answered a similar question earlier. Please refer to I said then.

Q: In the wake of the replacement of Secretary Tillerson, other officials of the Department of State are reportedly expected to follow suit. What impact do you expect such moves to have on the ROK-US coordination on the North Korean nuclear issue and other matters?

A: Basically, we will not make any particular comment on what impact such personnel matters will have. One thing I can tell you, though, is that the ROK and the US are communicating closely with each other at all levels on the full range of North Korean issues. Accordingly, I will just say that the personnel reshuffle on the part of the US government will pose no problems in terms of the ROK-US coordination on Korean Peninsula issues.

Q: According to a foreign press report yesterday, March 14, the reason for the dismissal of Secretary Tillerson was that he had engaged in the so-called “Korea passing” by attempting to directly and unilaterally reach a deal with North Korea, infuriating President Trump and making President Moon Jae-in protest over the phone. Is there anything that you can share with us about this?

A: To my knowledge, the relevant bureau has already mentioned that the information in the press report is not true.

Q: What, if any, has been decided regarding the timing of the visit to the ROK by State Councilor Yang Jiechi of China?

A: As I told you the day before yesterday, March 13, the ROK and China are fine-tuning the timing of the State Councilor’s visit to the ROK.

This will be all for today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation