Moon's top secretary flies to US for talks on THAAD, summit

By Jun Ji-hye

President Moon Jae-in’s top security adviser departed for the United States, Thursday, for talks on the controversial deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.

Another purpose of his visit is to coordinate the schedule for the summit between Moon and U.S. President Donald Trump, which is to take place in Washington late this month.

During his two-day stay, National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong will meet with U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and other officials to mediate the summit agenda.

“Chung will conduct an in-depth consultation with the U.S. officials including the White House security adviser on measures to successfully hold the first bilateral summit since the launch of the new governments in both countries,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release. “Chung will also discuss bilateral challenges including North Korea’s nuclear threats.”

Chung and the U.S. officials are expected to touch on a set of pending issues surrounding the THAAD installation here and the countries’ bilateral free trade agreement.

Controversy regarding THAAD has flared anew here after it was revealed Wednesday that the Ministry of National Defense had “intentionally” omitted to detail the arrival of four additional launchers for the system in a recent briefing to Chung who replaced former NSO chief Kim Kwan-jin, May 21.

Kim took the lead in the deployment decision under the former Park Geun-hye government, which was criticized for rushing to install the U.S. anti-missile system despite controversy and protests at the time.

Diplomatic friction

Following Moon’s order for a full inspection into the reporting omission, the presidential office questioned Kim and Defense Minister Han Min-koo, Wednesday.

Concerns have been raised that an ongoing investigation by Cheong Wa Dae into the Park government’s THAAD deployment decision-making process could lead to diplomatic friction between Seoul and Washington.

During his visit, Chung is expected to ask for Washington’s understanding on Seoul’s position, stressing that the incident would not affect the alliance between the two countries.

Chung rejected speculation that the issue could adversely affect the upcoming summit.

“Yesterday, I fully explained to the U.S. side, through diplomatic channels, about the background of the ongoing inspection,” Chung said. “I told them it is a domestic issue and will not affect the alliance.”

Lee Sang-chul, first deputy chief of the NSO, also met with U.S. Forces Korea Commander Vincent Brooks and said the same thing, Chung said.

The explanation was in line with Moon’s statement to U.S. Senate Democratic whip Dick Durbin Wednesday. Moon said South Korea’s ongoing investigation of the unreported arrival of the launchers is not intended to reverse the deployment agreement between the two countries but to conduct it in accordance with domestic procedures.

Chung is also expected to consult with U.S. officials on issues related to the free trade agreement between the two countries, given that President Trump said at the end of April that he will “renegotiate or terminate” the agreement, calling the deal “horrible.”

North Korea threats

Other bilateral issues include how to better cooperate to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

Chung told reporters Washington’s approach for the complete dismantlement of Pyongyang’s nuclear program is maximum pressure and engagement, while South Korea wants to take a dual-track policy to pursue the North’s denuclearization by seeking dialogue at the same time.

“Thus, we don’t see any big difference in our approaches,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to secure a nuclear-free peninsula through the complete dismantlement of the North’s nuclear program.”

Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said it will push for holding National Assembly hearings to unearth the truth behind what it said was the previous government’s “deception” regarding the THAAD deployment.

A special panel formed to deal with the issue said it will consider calling in Park’s security lineup, including the former NSO chief, Minister Han and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, as witnesses in its hearings.

“The ministry’s omission in the report is obvious mutiny,” Rep. Shim Jae-kwon who heads the panel said. “Who ordered the omission and why should be found out.”

Some observers raised the possibility of the presidential office setting up a large-scale investigation team to look into the incident if it discovers any irregularities by Park’s security team during the deployment process.