The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, May 22, 2022 | 22:57
Politics
Trump's remarks infringe national sovereignty
Posted : 2018-10-11 17:14
Updated : 2018-10-12 11:39
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Kim Bo-eun

U.S. President Donald Trump has irritated South Korean officials and the people with his recent remarks over the possible lifting of Seoul's unilateral sanctions on the North. His statement is seen as infringing on the national sovereignty of South Korea.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa a day earlier stated that the government was reviewing the lifting of its May 24 sanction on North Korea. She later backed down, citing the need to review the matter flexibly within the framework of not undermining international sanctions on the North, but the controversy continued to flare. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties also exchanged barbs over the matter during a National Assembly inspection of state affairs.

Trump chipped in by saying "They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval."

While Washington leads the international community's sanctions regime on Pyongyang, Trump's excessive remarks are seen as denying South Korean sovereignty.

While denuclearization talks are chiefly taking place between North Korea and the U.S., the Moon Jae-in administration's stance is to take charge of inter-Korean affairs.

But the U.S. has been taking issue with developments these. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier stated the U.S. stance was that "it should be ensured progress on inter-Korean relations is in lockstep with progress on denuclearization," after meeting with Moon in Seoul following his visit to Pyongyang, Sunday.

'Koreas discussing inspections for economic cooperation'
2018-10-11 17:14  |  Politics
Did Pompeo curse Minister Kang?
Did Pompeo curse Minister Kang?
2018-10-11 14:41  |  Foreign Affairs

Cheong Wa Dae offered a diplomatic response to Trump's remarks, stating, "this means that all matters will be carried out based on consultations between South Korea and the U.S."

Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, however, gave a more candid response.

"The expression that we cannot do anything (without U.S. approval) seems inappropriate," Cho said during a National Assembly audit.

"There are some things we can do and the U.S. agrees about and understands this," he said.

While Kang's remarks on the government reviewing the lifting of unilateral sanctions on the North were seen as inappropriate amid the ongoing denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington, even if the government were to be reviewing such measures, it has every right to do so.

Cho said many of the elements in the May 24 sanctions have already been eased and exemptions have been sought amid progress in inter-Korean relations, not only during the Moon Jae-in administration but also during the previous conservative Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations.

The issue also raises Pompeo's expression of dissatisfaction with an inter-Korean military agreement, which Kang acknowledged happened in a phone call with her counterpart.

Cheong Wa Dae said South Korea discusses military matters with the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), and not the U.S. state department.

A presidential office official stated he would instead refer to USFK Commander Vincent Brooks' positive evaluation of the agreement a day earlier.

The U.S. State Department, regarding Kang's statement on the possible lifting of sanctions, renewed its stance that President Trump has clarified the easing of sanctions on North Korea would be possible only after the reclusive state gets rid of its nuclear weapons.




Emailbkim@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Adoptee's journey tracing her mother, origin and heritage
  • What to expect from first lady in summit diplomacy
  • Can Indo-Pacific help Korea reduce reliance on Chinese market?
  • Korean steelmakers unlikely to benefit from Biden's visit
  • Blinken remains elusive figure for Yoon administration
  • Shocking treatment: Electricity in 19th-century medical treatment
  • Yoon, Biden agree to expand joint military exercises to deter North Korea
  • Korea postpones disposable cup deposit system for six months
  • 566 Days Later
  • Hyundai to build $5.54 bil. electric vehicle, battery plant in Georgia
  • Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people
  • TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene
  • Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June
  • 2 artists of Korean descent question hegemonic frameworks of race, gender 2 artists of Korean descent question hegemonic frameworks of race, gender
  • Jung Hye-sung to lead new series 'New Normal Zine' Jung Hye-sung to lead new series 'New Normal Zine'
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group