South Korea supports US President Donald Trump’s efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea but wants to ensure any engagement does not weaken Seoul’s security posture or leave it on the sidelines.
South Korean national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Friday that Seoul believes renewed US-North Korea talks should focus on making meaningful progress towards resolving the North’s nuclear weapons issue while maintaining strong defence readiness.
“One point to keep in mind is the need to coordinate with the United States to ensure that any resumption of US-North Korea dialogue leads to substantive progress on the North Korean nuclear issue,” Wi told reporters.
He said discussions should also contribute to establishing a lasting peace framework on the Korean Peninsula, making close policy coordination and communication between Seoul and Washington increasingly important.
Wi pointed to Trump’s decision earlier this month to significantly scale back major joint military exercises with South Korea as a possible indication that the US president is seeking to create room for renewed engagement with Pyongyang.
However, Seoul is keen to avoid being excluded from any diplomatic efforts between Washington and North Korea.
Wi stressed that South Korea should not be “sidelined” as the Trump administration seeks to revive negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump previously said Seoul’s refusal to assist in the Iran war was among the reasons for shortening the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises held this month. He also argued that the drills could send the wrong message to North Korea.
Trump and Kim have held three meetings in 2018 and 2019, but efforts to secure a lasting agreement on North Korea’s nuclear programme have remained unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, South Korea, the United States and Japan are preparing to conduct joint military exercises from September 9 to 11 to test their readiness against North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.
Wi also said Seoul wants to strengthen cooperation with Washington on several issues that have occasionally caused tensions between the allies.
Among the areas being discussed are South Korean investment in the United States under a trade agreement, the treatment of US-listed e-commerce company Coupang, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing and the transfer of wartime operational control.
The latest comments reflect Seoul’s attempt to balance support for renewed diplomacy with North Korea while ensuring its own security interests remain central to any future negotiations.
