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| U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris introduces an edition of Time Magazine at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, Wednesday, which features Korean boy band BTS on its cover. During his keynote speech, Harris urged South Korea to focus more on its alliance with the U.S. by having a "common voice" rather than putting priority on improving inter-Korean relations to denuclearize North Korea. / Yonhap |
By Park Ji-won
South Korea and the United States should have a "common voice" in dealing with North Korea rather than putting priority on improving inter-Korean relations over denuclearization, U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris said Wednesday.
"We are, of course, cognizant of the priority that President Moon Jae-in and his administration have placed on improving South-North relations. I believe this inter-Korean dialogue must remain linked to denuclearization, and South Korea synchronized with the United States," Harris said during a seminar co-hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and the Wilson Center.
"There, of course, remains a lot of work to be done, but I believe that if the United States and South Korea continue to approach North Korea with a common voice, we can turn the commitments that were made in Pyongyang, Panmunjeom and Singapore into reality."
He made his remarks amid the recent dissonance between South Korea and the U.S. in dealing with easing sanction against the North. He reiterated Washington's stance of maintaining sanctions against Pyongyang, while expressing discontent over Seoul's move to prioritize improving inter-Korean relations and easing the sanctions.
The two countries have been showing different approaches to achieving the denuclearization of North Korea. President Moon Jae-in, on a state visit to European countries, has urge them to ease the sanctions somewhat. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been warning South Korea that lifting them, along with related actions, should only take place with Washington's approval.
Stephen Biegun, the U.S. Special representative for North Korea also reaffirmed the U.S. government's policy of achieving "final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea," Tuesday, in a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Moscow, according to the Voice of America.
Emphasizing the history of the strong alliance between Seoul and Washington, and President Donald Trump's position on signing a "fair" agreement regarding cost sharing for U.S. forces in the South, the ambassador urged the quick finalization of negations for this.
"It is in both our countries' interests to conclude these negotiations quickly so that through our iron-clad alliance we can focus on the important task of continuing to work hand-in-hand to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea," he said.
