Cheong Wa Dae Expresses Hope Trump's SNS Message Leads to US-North Korea Dialogue

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's recent directive to scale down joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises and his remarks about maintaining a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac said today (18th) that he hopes this message will lead to meaningful dialogue between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea.

Meeting with reporters, Director Wi made these remarks and stated that he hopes this will bring about substantive progress toward peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, adding that he expects discussions toward that end to resume.

This is interpreted as Cheong Wa Dae's perspective that, separate from concerns raised that the sudden scaling down of exercises might destabilize the defense posture, this trend could also culminate in dialogue between the U.S. and North Korean leaders.

Director Wi explained that the South Korean government has maintained a consistent stance on this issue, noting that its position is to make necessary diplomatic efforts as a pacemaker regarding U.S.-North Korea dialogue, based on close coordination between South Korea and the U.S.

He added that, in line with this stance, discussions at the presidential level with President Trump have been held for extended periods on various occasions, particularly at events such as the G7 Summit and the NATO Summit.

At the same time, Director Wi emphasized that efforts will be made to ensure there is no wavering in the coordination between South Korea and the U.S.

He explained that while strengthening self-reliant defense capabilities to ensure robust security, the South Korean government has continued to coordinate with the U.S. side regarding joint exercises and training based on a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, and will continue this coordination moving forward.

Meanwhile, remarks followed regarding President Trump's disclosure that he had asked President Lee Jae-myung whether South Korea was willing to join in efforts for Iran's denuclearization, only to receive a response that the offer would be declined.

"Regarding the war in Iran and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, we have actively discussed the matter from the beginning with the international community, including the United States," Director Wi explained. "Taking into account our readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures, we have been reviewing practical military contribution measures that we can undertake."

He went on to emphasize, "We have a sharper interest in international nuclear non-proliferation issues than anyone else, because North Korea violated its non-proliferation commitments and attempted to build nuclear weapons. In the same context, we also take a keen interest in Iran's denuclearization issue and are working together with the international community."

Director Wi promised that the South Korean government will continue to maintain this stance and cooperate with the international community, including the United States, going forward.

(Photo: Cheong Wa Dae Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.