S. Korea, U.S. to establish working-level consultative body for talks at any time
- 4 years ago
한미, 실무 협의체 '동맹대화' 신설키로..."동맹 현안 상시 공조"
South Korea and the U.S. doubling down on the longstanding alliance adding another layer of dialogue channel.
Tentatively dubbed the Alliance Dialogue, the decision made by Seoul's vice foreign minister Choi Jong-kun and his U.S. counterpart Stephen Biegun in Washington, comes as the allies view the coming months as crucial in the peace building process on the Korean peninsula.
Yoon Jungmin reports.
South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to set up a new working-level consultative body called "Alliance Dialogue" for talks between officials at the director level.
The decision was reached during talks on Thursday in Washington between Seoul's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his American counterpart Stephen Biegun... as part of their efforts to bolster cooperation.
"As part of these efforts, we have decided to constantly review and communicate on various issues for the alliance through a director-level consultation channel."
The new dialogue channel is likely to deal with bilateral issues,... including the stalled defense cost-sharing negotiations and issues related to the U.S. military bases in South Korea.
Issues related to North Korea will be discussed separately at the existing Seoul-Washington working group.
"Still, there are a lot of important issues about the U.S.-South Korea alliance. For example, SMA issues, and current rivalry between the U.S. and China. And South Korea has to do what with the United States because nowadays the U.S. is trying to bolster the alliance system in East Asia."
Choi and Biegun also have agreed to work closely together for the "prompt resumption" of talks with North Korea.
Washington could be looking to add momentum to the talks before the presidential election in November,... but some experts doubt whether Pyeongyang will respond,... saying more hardliners have been put in place in the North since the Hanoi summit fell apart.
Seoul's foreign ministry added that Choi invited Biegun to Seoul for a follow-up meeting at a later date.
Choi also met at the White House with U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger,... with whom he discussed South Korea participating in the G7 Summit.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
South Korea and the U.S. doubling down on the longstanding alliance adding another layer of dialogue channel.
Tentatively dubbed the Alliance Dialogue, the decision made by Seoul's vice foreign minister Choi Jong-kun and his U.S. counterpart Stephen Biegun in Washington, comes as the allies view the coming months as crucial in the peace building process on the Korean peninsula.
Yoon Jungmin reports.
South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to set up a new working-level consultative body called "Alliance Dialogue" for talks between officials at the director level.
The decision was reached during talks on Thursday in Washington between Seoul's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his American counterpart Stephen Biegun... as part of their efforts to bolster cooperation.
"As part of these efforts, we have decided to constantly review and communicate on various issues for the alliance through a director-level consultation channel."
The new dialogue channel is likely to deal with bilateral issues,... including the stalled defense cost-sharing negotiations and issues related to the U.S. military bases in South Korea.
Issues related to North Korea will be discussed separately at the existing Seoul-Washington working group.
"Still, there are a lot of important issues about the U.S.-South Korea alliance. For example, SMA issues, and current rivalry between the U.S. and China. And South Korea has to do what with the United States because nowadays the U.S. is trying to bolster the alliance system in East Asia."
Choi and Biegun also have agreed to work closely together for the "prompt resumption" of talks with North Korea.
Washington could be looking to add momentum to the talks before the presidential election in November,... but some experts doubt whether Pyeongyang will respond,... saying more hardliners have been put in place in the North since the Hanoi summit fell apart.
Seoul's foreign ministry added that Choi invited Biegun to Seoul for a follow-up meeting at a later date.
Choi also met at the White House with U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger,... with whom he discussed South Korea participating in the G7 Summit.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.