Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

July 12, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have three announcements to make.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will visit London, the United Kingdom, from July 17 till 19.

During her first visit to the UK since her inauguration, Minister Kang, together with new Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt of the UK, will hold the fourth Republic of Korea-United Kingdom foreign ministerial strategic dialogue on July 18 and discuss with him matters of mutual concern, including the ROK-UK relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and global issues. The “ROK-UK foreign ministerial strategic dialogue” platform was launched in 2014 to promote the bilateral ties as well as cooperation on major regional and global issues. Its first, second and third rounds took place in 2014, 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Later in the day, July 18, Minister Kang will hold a luncheon with members of the UK House of Lords and House of Commons. On July 19, she will deliver a lecture at the Chatham House, among others.

In addition, in London on July 18, Minister Kang will preside over the 2018 meeting of the chiefs of the ROK’s diplomatic missions in Europe.

At the forthcoming meeting, the heads of 44 diplomatic missions in Europe and Eurasia will review the tangible progress made over the past year in the implementation of the diplomatic diversification policy in Europe and Eurasia; and will comprehensively discuss ways to seek diplomatic diversification in the region.

Moving along, the Foreign Ministry will hold the opening ceremony of “the diplomatic camp 2018 for ROK-China-Japan college students” in the Ministry’s Reception Hall on July 17.

At the opening ceremony, Minister Kang Kyung-wha will offer encouragement to the college students from the three countries and underscore the importance of trilateral cooperation. The forthcoming camp is expected to contribute to efforts to build networks among the young from the three countries, to achieve tangible progress in substantive trilateral cooperation and to broaden the scope thereof.

“The diplomatic camp for ROK-China-Japan college students” has been held since 2012 to build trust among the future generations of the three countries and to widen the scope of trilateral cooperation. The 2018 round will take place in Seoul, Suncheon and Damyang, the latter two of which are south of Seoul, from July 17 till 20, bringing together a combined 90-odd college students from the three countries.

Lastly, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu will visit Australia from July 17 till 19 for the fifth ROK-Australia strategic dialogue with Deputy Secretary Richard Maude of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The meeting will cover in depth situations on the Korean Peninsula and in major countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as ways to step up the ROK-Australia strategic cooperation and to work together on the international stage.

The Deputy Minister’s visit to Australia, like the bilateral foreign and defense (2+2) ministerial meeting held in 2017, is expected to serve as an opportunity to further reinforce strategic coordination between the two countries.

That concludes my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: To my knowledge, a US-North Korea meeting was slated to take place at Panmunjeom today to discuss the proposed repatriation of remains (of US soldiers killed in the Korean War). Is the meeting currently under way or not? Which officials or government agencies have been confirmed or speculated to be attending the meeting?

A: It is my understanding that in the US-North Korea meeting held during Secretary of State Pompeo’s recent visit to North Korea, the two sides agreed to hold meetings on that particular matter around July 12. For further details, please inquire of the US government.

Q: To my knowledge, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon is currently on a visit to the US. Is he there to work on the proposed declaration of an end to the Korean War? What is he doing there in that regard?

A: Are you asking about what is being and will be discussed during Special Representative Lee Do-hoon’s visit to the US? During his visit to the US from July 11, Special Representative Lee Do-hoon will meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Alex Wong, Senior Director for Asian Affairs Matthew Pottinger of the National Security Council (NSC), US delegates to the bilateral negotiations with North Korea, and other Korean Peninsula-related key figures in the US administration for extensive discussions on ways to accomplish a complete denuclearization and establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: Some raise concern that the US-China trade war, which is becoming full-blown, could have negative impact on the US-North Korea denuclearization negotiations. What is the ROK Foreign Ministry’s outlook on that?

A: We are meticulously keeping track of relevant developments. I will consult with relevant authorities and share with you whatever further details that I can.

Q: I understand that the fifth round of the ROK-US negotiations on sharing military costs has been set for next week. On a side note, to my knowledge, President Trump has lately been pressuring European member states of NATO to shoulder bigger portions of military costs than before. According to some analyses, this could place some burden on the ROK government. Please articulate the ROK Foreign Ministry’s position and government’s views on this issue.

A: The ROK and the US, both recognizing the importance of the bilateral alliance and based on mutual trust, are working to move those consultations forward. It is still the position of the ROK government that it will continue shouldering a fair and reasonable share of military costs in order for US Forces Korea, which has served as a linchpin for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, to maintain its presence in the ROK in a stable manner.

Q: Moments ago, you mentioned that during Secretary of State Pompeo’s visit to North Korea, the US and North Korea had agreed to hold meetings “around July 12” on the proposed repatriation of remains of soldiers. Did you say “around” because that meeting on the repatriation of remains might not happen today? What is the ROK government’s position? According to some press reports, the meeting did not take place earlier today. What, if any, does the ROK government know about this?

A: As I said earlier, for further details about the meeting, including whether and/or when it is taking place, you had better inquire of the US government. How to construe “around July 12” is up to you.

Q: You have just told us that for details about the repatriation of remains, we should inquire of the US government. What, if any, has the ROK government been informed by the US government in that regard?

A: It is my understanding that the ROK and the US are communicating with each other on relevant matters through channels as often as necessary.

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

* unofficial translation