Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, who is visiting the United States, met with Andrew C. Baker, National Security Advisor to the Vice President and Deputy National Security Advisor, on the afternoon of September 10 (Wed), local time. The two sides exchanged views on the situation of Korean nationals detained in Georgia, cooperation on improvements to the visa system, follow-up measures to the ROK-U.S. summit (Aug. 25), and regional and global developments.

Minister Cho explained the shock among the Korean public over the detention incident and noted that, although the situation could have escalated into a serious crisis in the ROK-U.S. relationship, the active cooperation between the two governments to resolve the issue and their creative efforts to turn the crisis into an opportunity for institutional improvement have been noteworthy.

Minister Cho stated that through this meeting with the Deputy National Security Advisor, he intended to review the progress of the release procedures for the detained Korean nationals, following up on the discussions during the ROK-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ meeting earlier in the day. He noted that, as the U.S. side is taking the necessary measures, both sides should focus on convening a ROK-U.S. working-group meeting on preventing recurrence, including the establishment of a new visa category, once the procedures for release are completed.

Deputy National Security Advisor Baker fully agreed, noting that while large-scale Korean investments in the United States under the Trump administration have materialized, the current visa system has not adequately supported these efforts. He assessed that the current incident has provided a meaningful opportunity to address such issues, and expressed his intention to actively pursue follow-up consultations.

Minister Cho exchanged views on the ROK-U.S. summit and other high-level diplomatic engagements to be held on the sidelines of various international events, including the UN General Assembly in September and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in October. He emphasized the need to make active efforts to achieve further progress in areas such as nuclear energy, shipbuilding, and advanced technologies. Deputy Advisor Baker shared his view and said that he would do his part to ensure that the U.S. administration can devote more time and space as necessary to advancing the ROK-U.S. alliance.

The two sides exchanged views on the new industrial revolution combining advanced technologies, manufacturing, and design, and agreed on the need to strengthen ROK-U.S. supply chain cooperation. In particular, Deputy Advisor Baker emphasized that the ROK is the optimal partner to complement the capabilities, assets, and technologies that the United States lacks, and expressed his expectation for closer cooperation going forward.

The two sides also shared assessments of issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, including Chairman Kim Jong Un’s visit to China on the occasion of China’s Victory Day, as well as regional and global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war. Minister Cho stated that, as President Lee Jae Myung has noted, the ROK and the U.S. should work closely together so that the United States can play the role of a “peace-maker” and the ROK can play the role of a “pace-maker” on the Korean Peninsula. Deputy Advisor Baker reaffirmed that the U.S. remains open to meaningful dialogue with North Korea, and agreed to cooperate in creating a conducive environment for such dialogue.