US to send pan-gov't delegation to Korea as early as late February over joint fact sheet

The headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul / Yonhap

The United States is expected to send a pan-government delegation to Korea as early as late February to consult with Seoul over the implementation of last year's summit agreements between their leaders, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

The delegation will likely consist of officials to comprehensively handle security-related issues under a joint fact sheet that range from Seoul's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines to bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy and shipbuilding, according to the ministry.

The allies seek to implement the joint summit document that includes Washington's approval of Seoul's push to build nuclear-powered submarines and the pursuit of civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing rights.

"It will be a pan-government delegation that could consult (with us) over all matters and include all related agencies," Park Il, the ministry spokesperson, told a press briefing, noting that the team's trip to Seoul is being scheduled in either late February or early-or mid-March.

The U.S. delegation is believed to comprise officials from the National Security Council and the Departments of State, Energy and Defense. Korea has set up separate task forces on nuclear-powered submarines and civil nuclear cooperation.

The timing of the delegation's trip could be also affected by Korea's legislative process for a special bill on implementing Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge to the U.S. under a trade deal reached between the two nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened last month to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing a delay in the parliamentary process to pass the special investment bill.