Press Briefing

Deputy Spokesperson Kim Deuk-hwan

April 26, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have one announcement to make.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with Representative Ami Bera and the other delegates from the US Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK) at the Foreign Ministry on April 30.

In the meeting, the two sides will discuss the outcome of the inter-Korean summit talks to come tomorrow, April 27; and exchange views on ways that the Republic of Korea and the United States can work together toward the success of the US-North Korea summit meeting to take place at a later date, and issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the ROK-US relations.

That concludes my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: I have a question about nominee for the US Ambassador to Australia Harris. According to the explanation offered by the Australian government, he is said to have been nominated as Ambassador to the ROK. Could you tell us when he will assume office as such?

A: The ROK and US governments, considering that an early appointment of the US Ambassador to the ROK will be good (for both countries), have been working together to that end. It is my understanding that the US government has yet to take official steps to that effect.

Q: The post of the US Ambassador to the ROK has remained vacant for 15 months. Don’t you think that a US Ambassador to the ROK needs to take office as soon as possible?

A: That is why the two sides have been in close communication and coordination.

Q: He has not been formally nominated yet, though, right?

A: Right, he has yet to be formally nominated.

Q: When do you think he will be formally nominated and take office?

A: It seems somewhat premature to make any predictions at this time.

If you have no further questions, this will be all for today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation