South Korea backs Trump’s bid to revive North Korea talks

Seoul – South Korea supports U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to restart dialogue with North Korea, but is wary that the situation won't deteriorate and that Seoul's strategic role won't be marginalized, South Korea's national security adviser said on Friday. Wi Sung-lac told reporters that progress on North Korea's nuclear weapons program should be the primary focus of the renewed U.S.-North Korea negotiations, while also maintaining the country's defensive capabilities.

"Coordination with the United States is crucial to ensure that any dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea yields meaningful results in tackling the nuclear issue and establishes a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula," Wi emphasized. To accomplish these objectives, seamless collaboration and communication between South Korea and the U.S. are of utmost importance.

Wi cited Trump's recent directive to dramatically reduce joint military exercises between the two allies, stating that the president was showing a willingness to engage with North Korea. Meanwhile, South Korea needs to avoid being "sidelined" in Washington's efforts to resume talks with Pyongyang, Wi added. Trump's decision to halt the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, partially due to Seoul's reluctance to assist in the Iran conflict, was seen as sending the wrong signal to North Korea.

Trump has been pushing for a new summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In addition to joint military drills scheduled for September 9-11, South Korea, Japan, and the United States will collaborate on various matters, including South Korean investment in the U.S. as part of a trade agreement, the treatment of e-commerce company Coupang, security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the transfer of wartime operational control.