FM to visit US despite Tillerson ousting
By Kim Bo-eun
Foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha will depart for Washington as planned Thursday for talks with U.S. officials, despite her U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson’s sudden dismissal.
“The minister will leave with plans to meet John Sullivan, the acting secretary of state,” ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said Wednesday.
“South Korea and the U.S. agreed that it is critical to maintain strong cooperation through close communication between foreign affairs authorities despite the U.S. replacement of personnel, as the two countries face pressing issues including the North Korea nuclear matter and trade affairs,” he said, adding Washington expressed wishes for Kang to make the visit as planned.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tillerson’s ouster via Twitter, late Tuesday, stating he will be replaced by Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo.
Kang’s visit to Washington from Thursday through Saturday had been finalized before the changes were announced. She had been set to meet with Tillerson to discuss the latest developments surrounding Pyongyang, including a slated summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Trump in May.
Kang told reporters Wednesday the dismissal was a “sudden change.”
However, she added there will be no problems in cooperation between the two states in relevant matters.
“Since we have maintained close cooperation (between Washington and Seoul), I believe we will be able to do the same in the future, even though we have a new figure,” she said.
Kang stated she has not had contact with Pompeo so far.
Trump’s replacement of the state’s top diplomat comes at a critical time. Kim Jong-un last week stated his intention to give up its nuclear weapons if the safety of his regime was guaranteed, in a meeting with South Korean envoys in Pyongyang. He also said the North was willing to talk with Washington about denuclearization. A summit was agreed upon after Trump accepted Kim’s invitation the same week.
In addition, the two Koreas agreed on a summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April, the first in 11 years.
“Since circumstances surrounding the Korean peninsula are expected to see critical developments in the next two months, we face a point in time when it is essential to hold talks between the two states, frequently and transparently,” Noh said in a briefing Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, departed for Washington as scheduled, Wednesday.
“It is a crucial point in time for cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. with no cracks for even water to leak through,” he told reporters before departing from Incheon International Airport. “Broad and deep discussions with relevant officials will take place.”
The nuclear envoy will make arrangements for Kang’s visit and hold meetings to discuss Washington-Pyongyang talks.
Kang will also meet with U.S. senators to seek support and cooperation from Congress in peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and strengthening the Seoul-Washington alliance.