Seoul envoy stresses S. Korea's commitment to help U.S., N. Korea resume dialogue

Seoul's top envoy to the United States, Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, emphasized South Korea's dedication to assisting Washington and Pyongyang in rebuilding confidence and reinitiating dialogue, emphasizing that preserving stability on the Korean Peninsula is South Korea's foremost priority. At a Washington event marking Korean National Day and Armed Forces Day, Kang made these remarks in response to President Donald Trump's expressed desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the year.

Kang affirmed that Seoul remains in close coordination with Washington regarding North Korea policy. As directly affected by the situation, the Republic of Korea government will assume the role of a catalyst and strive to establish conditions conducive to constructive discussions aimed at building trust and restarting dialogue between the United States and North Korea, Kang stated.

South Korea seeks to lay the groundwork for potential U.S.-North Korea dialogue to evolve into broader cooperation among the involved nations, with the ultimate goal of formally concluding the 1950-53 Korean War, transitioning to a peace regime, and achieving comprehensive denuclearization of the peninsula. Kang also addressed the progress of the conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control of troops from Washington to Seoul, describing it as a significant milestone in modernizing the bilateral alliance.

On the economic front, Seoul's pledge to invest $350 billion in the U.S. under last year's trade agreement is moving forward with the identification of specific projects, which Kang said will bolster the two nations' future industries and generate high-paying jobs, further strengthening the relationship between the countries. Among the attendees at the event were Senator Andy Kim, Representative Joe Wilson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea, Japan, and Mongolia, David Wilezol.

In his address, Wilezol called for South Korea and the U.S. to collaborate and devise pathways forward, even amidst challenges, acknowledging the ultimate sacrifices made by U.S. and other troops during the Korean War under the United Nations banner.