▲ South Korean Ambassador to the US Kang Kyung-wha speaks during a parliamentary audit held at the National Assembly in Washington, D.C., on the 12th (local time).
South Korean Ambassador to the US Kang Kyung-wha stated on the 12th (local time) that the controversy over restrictions on intelligence sharing between South Korea and the US is the most difficult issue to resolve in bilateral diplomacy.
In particular, addressing the issues raised by the US side, she noted that South Korea is judged to have not sufficiently resolved concerns to meet US expectations, hinting that the intelligence-sharing issue between the two countries could be prolonged.
During the parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held in Washington, D.C., that day, Ambassador Kang answered a question about the most difficult issues in the South Korea-US relationship by saying, "Intelligence cooperation is being discussed the most."
She added, "The strategic investment issue (with the US) was the most difficult part until the announcement of the first project, including the Alaska (LNG investment project)."
Ambassador Kang stated that the issue regarding South Korea-US intelligence sharing was raised during the meeting on September 18 between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying, "There were remarks that there is a problem with intelligence cooperation."
When asked about "our side's response to Secretary Rubio's request," she replied, "I do not think the issue has been sufficiently resolved to the extent expected by the US side."
However, regarding whether Secretary Rubio mentioned the future of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok, who are at the center of the intelligence-sharing restriction controversy, she said, "I recall that there were no mentions of specific personnel."
Ambassador Kang explained that she received a "phone call" from lawmaker Chung following his remarks about a "North Korean plutonium/uranium enrichment facility," and regarding the atmosphere on the US side, she stated, "The issue was about the remarks (concerning the enrichment facility), not pointing out Minister Chung personally."
She conveyed, "Minister Chung spoke that way, so we have mentioned such matters to our counterparts through routine consultation channels," but did not comment on how US authorities reacted after receiving Minister Chung's explanation.
Earlier in the day, Minister Chung held a press conference explaining that when the US took issue with his "enrichment remarks" during the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee session in March of this year, he explained the circumstances to US authorities and the South Korean Ambassador to the US.
Regarding opposition lawmakers pointing out that an unusual current is forming in the South Korea-US alliance due to the repercussions caused by Minister Chung's remarks, Ambassador Kang emphasized, "Although the pending issues are difficult, I think the US political circles' commitment and support for the alliance, its ties, and its roots are extraordinary."
Furthermore, Ambassador Kang stated, "Regarding intelligence cooperation, the National Intelligence Service is continuing to respond," adding, "I understand that communication between the two intelligence agencies has taken place and progress has been made."
"I will admit that there are limits to communication with the White House," Ambassador Kang said. "Although I frequently meet with the White House National Security Council (NSC) and key White House figures, high-level consultations are not taking place to the extent I would like, to the point that even I find it frustrating."
Regarding the handling of the "Coupang incident," a diplomatic and trade issue between South Korea and the US, Ambassador Kang stated, "As an ambassador, it is necessary to present a factual explanation of our legal system so that our citizens can see that we are responding faithfully to this matter under our legal system as a sovereign government." She also noted, "In consultations with the US, we have communicated up to now on much deeper and various ways to resolve the issue."
Regarding the possibility of holding a North Korea-US summit, Ambassador Kang said, "The possibility is always there, but it is difficult to talk about it in numbers," adding, "I understand that there are still no concrete developments."
Ambassador Kang noted, "President Trump has repeatedly sent messages expressing his willingness for dialogue, and we frequently figure out through the US State Department or the NSC (National Security Council) what background those messages come from," while adding, "There are no specific signs."
"Since North Korea's position is that it will no longer treat us as a dialogue partner, it is most paramount that North Korea-US dialogue opens," she stated, expressing the stance that it is important for that dialogue to ultimately lead to inter-Korean dialogue through close communication between South Korea and the US during the process of opening North Korea-US dialogue.
"Since North Korea's position is that it will no longer treat us as a dialogue partner, it is most paramount that North Korea-US dialogue opens," she stated, expressing the stance that it is important for that dialogue to ultimately lead to inter-Korean dialogue through close communication between South Korea and the US during the process of opening North Korea-US dialogue.
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's remarks on "freezing North Korea's nuclear program," Ambassador Kang evaluated it as "a pragmatic approach that we must first freeze North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities as they continue to advance."
However, she noted, "Basically, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula—meaning the denuclearization of North Korea—is the unwavering policy goal of our government, the US administration, and the international community," adding, "We must continue consultations between South Korea and the US on discussions regarding how to realize that approach."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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