“U.S. Issues a Warning to Seoul’s Hardline Faction? Signs of Incomplete U.S.–South Korea Coordination on North Korea Policy”r
Min Ho Noh
South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong Young (right) meets Kevin Kim, the acting U.S. ambassador to Seoul / Courtesy of the Ministry of Unification
Courtesy of the Ministry of Unification@@haven Monday, after an informal meeting with First Deputy Foreign Minister Park Yoon Joo, Kim described the discussions as productive, saying they focused on strengthening U.S.-South Korea cooperation, especially on North Korea.He noted that U.S. and South Korean leaders are aligning on North Korea's complete denuclearization, citing his consensus with Defense Minister An Kyu Baek during their November 21 meeting.Kim highlighted that Minister An stressed the importance of joint military exercises, saying military training is the lifeline of the military. This was seen as a direct rebuttal to Minister Chung's earlier comments suggesting that adjusting or delaying joint drills could help facilitate dialogue with Pyongyang.Notably, Kim broke protocol by answering reporters' questions after the informal meeting, an unusual occurrence given the customary discretion surrounding such discussions.Although Kim stated that both Ministers Chung and An agreed on the crucial nature of U.S.-South Korea cooperation, his comments suggest an intent to express clear dissatisfaction with the Lee Jae Myung administration.
