Vice FM Kim discusses alliance, economic ties with senior US diplomat
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, right, poses with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas ahead of their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina met with Michael Rigas, U.S. deputy secretary of state for management and resources, on Friday and discussed ways to boost the alliance and economic partnership, the foreign ministry said.
Kim's meeting with Rigas came as the senior U.S. diplomat was visiting South Korea as part of his two-nation swing that will also take him to the Philippines later this week.
Kim expressed her hope to advance the bilateral alliance not only in terms of security but also across various fields, such as the economy and advanced technologies, through active exchanges between the two countries.
Rigas reaffirmed the U.S.' ironclad commitment to the bilateral alliance and highlighted the importance of continued close cooperation to further develop bilateral ties.
They also agreed to enhance communication between the ministry and the department to ensure the ongoing tariff negotiations will reach a "successful conclusion."
Rigas is the official in charge of organization operations and personal matters at the U.S. State Department, including overseas missions. His trip came amid lingering speculation that the department could close a consulate in South Korea's southern port city of Busan as part of its reform efforts.
At their meeting, Kim requested the U.S. side's "attention and support" to ensure that changes in the U.S. immigration policy "do not inadvertently cause harm or unjustly infringe upon the rights of Korean nationals," the ministry said.