Embassy Moves to Contain Fallout a Day After Remarks: "Did Not Mean Communication Was Difficult"

[Anchor]

After controversy arose when South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha acknowledged friction in intelligence cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. during a parliamentary audit, the South Korean Embassy in Washington moved to contain the fallout just a day later. The embassy released what was effectively an explanatory statement clarifying Ambassador Kang's remarks, saying she did not mean there were difficulties in bilateral communication, but rather expressed a desire to communicate more closely and frequently.

From New York, this is correspondent Kim Hyun-woo.

[Reporter]

[Kang Kyung-wha / South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. (Yesterday, October 14, parliamentary audit): "I will admit that there are limits to communication with the White House. High-level consultations to the extent that I would like are currently so limited that even I feel frustrated..."]

The South Korean Embassy in the U.S. explained Ambassador Kang's remarks at the parliamentary audit as follows:

It stated that her remarks were made in the context of wishing for closer and more frequent communication because engagement with senior White House officials had not matched her own high aspirations, and that they in no way meant there were difficulties in existing communication between South Korea and the United States.

[Kang Kyung-wha / South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. (Yesterday, parliamentary audit): "There have been remarks that there were problems with intelligence cooperation. I do not think the issues have been sufficiently resolved to the extent that the U.S. side expects yet."]

Regarding this statement, which was interpreted as acknowledging friction in intelligence cooperation between the two nations, the embassy stated that differences of opinion naturally arise between countries, adding that it is difficult to confirm specific details regarding intelligence cooperation.

This directly reflects President Lee Jae-myung's stance that while the South Korea-U.S. alliance is important, a subservient attitude must be avoided and differences of opinion between nations are bound to exist.

The embassy also clarified that Ambassador Kang's response stating that the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone was not an unforeseen accident was intended to emphasize that it was deliberately planted by North Korean forces.

Questioning regarding the response to the landmine explosion incident also continued during the parliamentary audit of the South Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

[Kim Gunn / People Power Party Lawmaker: "This is a matter that significantly affects the maintenance of international peace and security, and I cannot understand why this is not being brought before the UN Security Council."]

[Cha Ji-hoon / South Korean Ambassador to the UN: "I believe there needs to be a strategic decision by the government regarding whether to bring this matter before the Security Council and request the circulation of a letter, or request a meeting."]

Opposition lawmakers raised Ambassador to the UN Cha Ji-hoon's personal ties with President Lee Jae-myung, sharply questioning the process of his appointment.

Criticism was also raised that it was inappropriate for Ambassador Cha's child, who resides in New York, to move into the official residence.

(Video by Lee Hee-hoon | Video Editing by Choi Jin-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.