Seoul: South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday on the necessity of implementing their joint summit agreements on trade and security in a "balanced" manner, according to a senior official from Seoul. This agreement was reached during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Michael DeSombre.
According to Yonhap News Agency, DeSombre, who began his role as the top diplomat for East Asia policy in October of the previous year, was on his first official trip to South Korea in his current capacity. The discussions emphasized that while not all elements of the agreements can progress at the same rate, they should be implemented to mutually support each other. The focus was on avoiding any skewness in the process or allowing any single element to delay the overall implementation.
The agreements encompass various commitments, including Seoul's $350 billion investment package for the U.S. in exchange for reduced U.S. tariff rates. Additionally, there is U.S. support for South Korea's endeavors to obtain nuclear-powered submarines and ensure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful purposes.
While the Trump administration has been urging Seoul to expedite its investment pledge, South Korea has been focusing on advancing the security-related aspects of the agreements. This pertains particularly to nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear energy cooperation. The implementation of these agreements has faced setbacks due to delays in Seoul's legislative processes, with concerns that U.S. involvement in the Middle East conflict might also be impacting progress.
On Thursday, the National Assembly passed a special bill regarding the U.S. investment, which is expected to accelerate the implementation process. The priority, as highlighted by the Seoul official, is to ensure smooth overall implementation and for both sides to collaborate in identifying and resolving potential bottlenecks. Chung called for DeSombre's active engagement to ensure that security-related commitments in the joint fact sheet yield early results, as stated in a press release by the ministry.
DeSombre agreed to work on advancing consultations in the security field. Both sides acknowledged the positive passage of the U.S. investment bill and concurred on the swift implementation of the agreements. Discussions also included collaboration on promptly moving forward negotiations on the 123 Agreement, which pertains to Seoul's peaceful use of nuclear energy.
In a subsequent meeting, Park Jong-han, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, urged the U.S. to conduct a fair investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act into South Korea and other countries over manufacturing overcapacity. DeSombre also met with Jeong Yeon-doo, Vice Minister for Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence, to discuss North Korea issues following the North's recent key party congress. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of bilateral coordination in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
DeSombre's visit is ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's expected trip to China in late March and early April. Speculation suggests Trump might seek to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, potentially serving as a breakthrough in stalled diplomacy with North Korea. DeSombre arrived in Seoul from Tokyo on Wednesday, continuing his five-day trip through Asia, which also includes a stop in Mongolia.