Seoul backs Trump's 'peace through strength'
By Yi Whan-woo
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s “peace through strength” policy in dealing with threats from North Korea in a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Tuesday.
“The Trump administration’s pursuance of this policy is perfectly workable as North Korea has been threatening to launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes,” Yun was quoted as saying by the foreign ministry in a press release. “The two allies should continue to make unprecedented efforts to implement sanctions on Pyongyang and press its regime comprehensively based on zero tolerance for North Korea’s nuclear program.”
Yun and Tillerson promised to develop the Seoul-Washington relationship as the “strongest alliance ever” under the Trump government.
Tillerson offered to take a joint approach to better cope with North Korea’s “immediate threats” and put the related topics on the agenda for their meeting.
The two sides will coordinate a schedule for a foreign ministerial meeting later this month, according to the foreign ministry.
This was Yun’s first conversation with Tillerson since the latter won Senate confirmation for the post, Feb. 1.
Yun congratulated Tillerson, the former ExxonMobil CEO, while assessing that their telephone conversation reflected the Trump government’s “steadfast” commitment to the Seoul-Washington alliance.
Yun pointed out that the two allies have been in close contact recently, referring to a phone call between acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Trump on Jan. 30, a face-to-face meeting between Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Seoul, Feb. 3 as well as Yun’s separate meeting with Mattis during the latter’s Seoul visit.
Biggest challenge for Trump
Regarding North Korea’s nuclear threats, Yun told Tillerson that it will be the most serious diplomatic and security challenge facing the Trump administration.
He proposed that the two foreign ministers run a real-time consultative system to remain prepared to counter North Korea’s military provocations at any time. Yun said they also should bolster dialogue at all levels, including the dormant six-party nuclear talks.
Tillerson “fully agreed” on the need for persistent cooperation between the allies.
Concerning the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea, the two top diplomats reiterated the agreement reached between Han and Mattis last week. Back then, the two defense ministers agreed to deploy THAAD as scheduled despite China’s opposition.
“Yun and Tillerson were on the same page about the deployment of the THAAD battery by the U.S. military in South Korea. They agreed it should be solely a defensive measure aimed at countering North Korea’s military threats, and will not hurt national interests of other countries,” the foreign ministry said.
The two vowed to make “a wide range” of efforts to encourage China to join in denuclearizing North Korea, citing that Beijing’s role is critical in thoroughly implementing the U.N. Security Council’s sanctions on Pyongyang and fulfilling other related goals.
Tillerson said he supports South Korea’s efforts to improve its relations with Japan, and that it will be helpful in strengthening the trilateral security alliance with the U.S.
Both Yun and Tillerson are scheduled to join the Meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers in Bonn, Germany on Feb. 16 and 17, plus the annual Munich Security Conference from Feb. 17 to 19. The foreign ministry said it is consulting with the U.S. on setting up face-to-face talks between Yun and Tillerson then.
The telephone conversation came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed in a New Year message that his regime is in the final stages of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which will be capable of carrying nuclear warheads and striking the U.S. mainland.
The Trump government has been bolstering its rhetoric against North Korea while vowing to reinforce the U.S. military against enemies under a belief that it will result in “peace through strength.”