Seoul: South Korea and the United States have reached a consensus on the necessity of implementing joint summit agreements on trade and security in a balanced manner, avoiding prioritization of certain areas, a senior official from Seoul stated Thursday. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae and Michael DeSombre, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, DeSombre, who assumed his role as the top diplomat for East Asia policy last October, was in South Korea on his first official visit. The discussions emphasized that while all elements of the agreements may not progress simultaneously, they should be implemented in a way that they mutually support each other and maintain a consistent pace.
The summit agreements encompass a variety of commitments, such as South Korea’s $350 billion investment package for the U.S., which is linked to a reduced U.S. tariff rate, and American support for South Korea’s ambitions to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and develop uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful purposes.
The Trump administration has been urging South Korea to expedite its investment pledge, while Seoul is keen on advancing security-related aspects, particularly in relation to nuclear-powered submarines and energy cooperation. However, implementation has faced delays due to legislative processes in Seoul and possible impacts from U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts.
The passing of a special bill for U.S. investment by South Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday is anticipated to expedite the implementation. Chung Eui-hae emphasized the importance of ensuring smooth overall implementation and called for proactive collaboration to address any potential bottlenecks.
DeSombre echoed the sentiment, committing to advancing consultations in the security field. Both sides expressed optimism about the U.S. investment bill’s passage and agreed to promptly implement the agreements, including progressing negotiations on the 123 Agreement concerning Seoul’s peaceful use of nuclear energy.
During DeSombre’s visit, he also met with Park Jong-han, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, who emphasized the need for fairness in the U.S. investigation into manufacturing overcapacity under Section 301 of the Trade Act. DeSombre’s itinerary included a meeting with Jeong Yeon-doo, Vice Minister for Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence, focusing on North Korea issues.
His visit to Seoul is part of a broader Asian tour, including stops in Tokyo and Mongolia, and comes ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anticipated trip to China, which could involve discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.