1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun met with Joseph Y. Yun, the newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea on the morning of January 14, and exchanged views on ROK–U.S. relations and North Korea issues.

2. Vice Minister Kim welcomed Chargé d’Affaires Yun, an accomplished diplomat with long‑standing ties to Korea, and asked him to work to ensure that the progress the Republic of Korea and the United States have achieved continues under the incoming U.S. administration. Chargé d’Affaires Yun responded that the U.S. Embassy in Seoul would do its utmost to maintain and further develop the strong ROK–U.S. alliance.

3. Vice Minister Kim also emphasized the need for continued close coordination between the two countries on North Korea and its nuclear issue, and, noting Chargé d’Affaires Yun’s previous role as Special Representative for North Korea Policy, requested his efforts to facilitate smooth communication between Seoul and Washington.

4. Earlier the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae‑yul also received Chargé d’Affaires Yun and asked for his cooperation in further advancing the ROK–U.S. alliance.