1. Foreign Minister
Kang Kyung-wha met jointly with Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in
Seoul Marc Knapper and Commander of United States Forces Korea Vincent
Brooks on January 4 to mark the New Year, and exchanged views on issues of
mutual interest.
2. Minister Kang took
note that in cooperation with Chargé d'Affaires Knapper and Commander Brooks, the
ROK and the US further strengthened their alliance through successful mutual
visits by the leaders of the two countries and close communications and
cooperation at each level last year.
o Minister Kang
said that the ROK will continue to closely work together with the international
community, including the US, to improve inter-Korean relations and resolve the
North Korean nuclear issue at the same time, and offered to increase
consultations and cooperation between the ROK and the US this year.
o In addition,
Minister Kang asked for the US side’s support to make the PyeongChang Olympic
Winter Games a peace festival, including the dispatch of athletes and a high-level
delegation, as well as active participation from the US Embassy in the ROK and
US Forces Korea.
3. Chargé
d'Affaires Knapper expressed appreciation for the ROK side’s efforts to advance
the ROK-US alliance, and said that the US will also exert its utmost efforts to
ensure the success of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. Commander Brooks
said he is sure that the ROK-US alliance will get stronger this year as the two
sides cope with various challenges together through cooperation in a range of
areas.
* unofficial
translation