S. Korean Embassy in US: "Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha's 'DMZ Landmine Remarks' Aimed at Emphasizing Armistice Violation"

▲ South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha speaks during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit held at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on October 12, local time.

The South Korean Embassy in the United States stated that Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha's remarks during a parliamentary audit regarding a recent North Korean landmine explosion in the DMZ were "by no means intended to question whether a specific expression previously used by our government was appropriate."

In a press reference document on October 13, local time, the embassy explained that "the meaning of the specific expression previously stated by our government was to encourage and console the wounded soldiers who were severely injured (by the landmine explosion) and their families, and the ambassador also remarked in that context that she feels tremendous pain as both a citizen and an ambassador regarding the harm suffered by our military."

The "specific expression by our government" cited by the embassy is interpreted as referring to President Lee Jae-myung describing the incident as an "unforeseen accident" while consoling the wounded soldiers and their families during his Armed Forces Day address on October 1.

During the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit on the previous day, when asked about her stance on the landmine explosion, Ambassador Kang replied, "Regarding the harm suffered by our military, as a citizen and as an ambassador, it is very painful," but added, "Looking at what the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, these are landmines planted (by North Korea), and in this case, they were planted intentionally, so in that sense, I do not view it as an unforeseen accident."

The embassy emphasized, "The ambassador made remarks to that effect in the process of emphasizing that, according to the final investigation findings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 5, this explosion was caused by landmines artificially laid south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) by the North Korean military, which constitutes a violation of the Armistice Agreement."

Regarding the controversy over the U.S. restricting intelligence cooperation, which has emerged as an issue in South Korea-U.S. diplomacy, the embassy stated, "It is difficult to confirm the details of diplomatic communication between South Korea and the U.S. and specific matters regarding bilateral intelligence cooperation."

However, it explained, "While we seek to continuously advance the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the axis of our diplomacy, differences of opinion naturally arise between nations, and we believe the process of narrowing and managing differences in views is also necessary."

During the audit on the previous day, Ambassador Kang said that during the September 18 meeting between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, "there was mention of an issue with intelligence cooperation," adding, "I do not think the issue has been sufficiently resolved to the extent the U.S. side expects."

President Lee pointed out during his opening remarks at a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day, "We must pursue diplomacy that protects the national interests of the Republic of Korea," adding, "In relations between nations, we must avoid submissive or servile attitudes."

Regarding "high-level communication with the White House," the embassy also emphasized that "the ambassador's remarks during the audit were made in the sense that, since (communication) is not taking place as much as she desires, she wishes it were closer and more frequent."

The embassy stated, "As the ambassador herself has high enthusiasm for South Korea-U.S. communication, the intention was that she would make further efforts to fulfill this, and it by no means meant that there are difficulties in existing communication between South Korea and the U.S."

During the audit on the previous day, Ambassador Kang said, "I will admit that there are limits to communication with the White House," adding, "While I frequently meet with the White House National Security Council (NSC) and key White House officials, high-level consultations to the extent I desire are currently not happening as much as I would like, to a frustrating degree even for me."

The embassy explained, "Our government continues to consult on key pending issues while closely communicating with the U.S. administration through exchanges at all levels, including summit and high-level meetings such as the recent South Korea-U.S. summit (September 22) and the foreign ministers' meeting (September 18)."

The embassy added, "The ambassador has closely communicated not only with diplomatic and security departments such as the NSC, the State Department, and the Department of War, but also with senior officials from economic departments including the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Energy," and that "the embassy maintains close communication channels with the U.S. side across all levels, from ministers and counselors to working-level officials."

(Photo courtesy of the South Korean Embassy in the U.S., Yonhap News)

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