Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Lim Soosuk

September 8, 2022  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyundong will visit the U.S. from September 14 to 17 and attend the third meeting of the ROK-U.S. high-level Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG).

The upcoming meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. on September 16 is expected to serve as an opportunity for the ROK and U.S. Vice Foreign and Defense Ministers and Under Secretaries to have in-depth discussions on comprehensive deterrence measures against North Korea, including ways to strengthen the effectiveness of extended deterrence, amid the severe situation on the Korean Peninsula.

While meeting has not taken place since January 2018, the leaders of the ROK and the U.S. agreed this May to reactivate the EDSCG. The forthcoming meeting comes about 4 years and 8 months after the last one, through follow-up efforts between the foreign and defense authorities of the two countries at various levels.

During the visit, Vice Minister Cho will also meet with key U.S. government officials and academics.

Vice Minister Cho will hold the ROK-U.S. vice foreign ministerial meeting, meet with U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley, and have a meeting with experts from major U.S. think tanks.

In the meetings, Vice Minister Cho will discuss key issues between the two countries and exchange views on Korea's foreign policy.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)