The U.S. and South Korea's Deputy Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea during a phone call on the 1st (local time), the first since the inauguration of the new U.S. administration. They also agreed to continue discussions to find solutions to address concerns over the mutual tariffs imposed by the U.S. scheduled for the 2nd.
The U.S. Department of State stated in a press release that Christopher Lando, Deputy Director General of the U.S. Department of State, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in a call with Kim Hong-kyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On that day, Deputy Director General Lando discussed urgent security issues with Vice Minister Kim. He also expressed condolences for the victims of the forest fires in South Korea and extended sympathies for the extensive damage.
Both sides also discussed opportunities for economic cooperation, including energy issues. The Department of State reported that the increase in South Korean investment in U.S. industries was also mentioned.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a press release that the two countries' vice ministers exchanged views on the U.S.-South Korea alliance, North Korean nuclear issues, U.S.-South Korea-Japan cooperation, and U.S.-South Korea economic cooperation.
In the call, Vice Minister Kim emphasized that the economic cooperation between the two countries should not be obstructed due to the mutual tariffs imposed by the U.S. scheduled for the 2nd. He also stated that both sides should continue to discuss solutions to address their concerns.
He expressed hope that U.S.-South Korea cooperation will be strengthened in the goal of maintaining the complete denuclearization of North Korea and in blocking illegal funding related to North Korea's nuclear and missile responses and virtual asset theft.
Vice Minister Kim stated that illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea must be immediately halted in the process of ending the war in Ukraine, and that there should be no compensation for North Korea's wrongful actions.
The two vice ministers agreed to strive to hold a meeting of the U.S.-South Korea-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers' Council at an early date as part of their continued cooperation.
Vice Minister Kim congratulated Deputy Director General Lando on his appointment and expressed hope for close cooperation with him for the development of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both vice ministers agreed to meet at a mutually convenient time for more in-depth discussions.