South Korea's Ministry of Unification said that communication between Seoul and Washington on North Korea policy takes place frequently, addressing remarks by South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha, who cited setbacks in bilateral intelligence cooperation as the biggest pending issue.

An official from the Unification Ministry responded to reporters' questions regarding cooperation with the US at the Government Complex Seoul, saying, "Yesterday, Minister (Chung Dong-young) stated that there are no problems in the broad framework of the South Korea–US alliance, and the Unification Ministry is also in constant communication with the US Embassy in Seoul."

The official added, "The head of the Unification Policy Office and the minister at the US Embassy in Seoul have been meeting, and working-level officials are also meeting frequently (with the embassy) to share pending issues related to (North Korea policy)."

Regarding the fact that US Ambassador Michelle Steel has not paid a courtesy call on the unification minister even two months after taking office, unlike her predecessors, the official said, "We have not yet received a request (from the US Embassy)," adding, "We do not believe this is a matter that needs to be rushed."

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Unification, Yonhap News)