1. First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam held a working luncheon with a delegation from the US taskforce on the relations with China, including the Arthur Ross Director Orville Schell of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society and Professor Emeritus Susan Shirk of the University of California at San Diego. Over the luncheon, the two sides engaged in an extensive exchange of views on major issues, including North Korea, its nuclear program and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the situation in East Asia.

2. Vice Minister Lim voiced hope that in its report on the US-China relations for the next US administration, the taskforce would adequately reflect the significance of the Republic of Korea-United States alliance that serves as a linchpin for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. He also held an in-depth discussion with the US delegation on major issues in the region.

3. The US delegation, extending appreciation to the ROK government for inviting the group to the ROK, expressed expectation that the meetings with leading government officials of the ROK, one of the main countries related to the US-China relations, will be highly useful in the taskforce’s work in the future.

4. During its visit to the ROK, in addition to the working luncheon with the First Vice Foreign Minister, the US delegation will meet with other major figures in the fields of foreign affairs and security, including the Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs and the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs. The visit of the delegation is expected to help the US experts better understand the ROK’s main diplomatic issues and policies; and to contribute to the ROK’s efforts to expand its network with members of the US presidential campaigns.


* unofficial translation