WASHINGTON — South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha said on the 29th that Seoul is continuing to implement security agreements with Washington, including the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and the transfer of wartime operational control.
Speaking at a reception marking Korea's National Day and Armed Forces Day at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., Kang said: "As an exemplary ally, Korea is playing an increasingly leading role in the security of the Korean Peninsula by strengthening its own defense capabilities, increasing defense spending and purchasing advanced U.S. weapons systems."
On efforts to revive talks between Washington and Pyongyang, Kang said the South Korean government is closely watching President Donald Trump's recent messages signaling a willingness to pursue peace on the peninsula and resume dialogue with North Korea. "As a direct stakeholder, the Korean government will play an active role as a pacemaker and create conditions for constructive discussions aimed at building trust between the United States and North Korea and resuming dialogue," she said.
On economic cooperation, Kang said a pledge to invest $350 billion in U.S. strategic industries is beginning to take concrete shape through the selection of specific projects, adding that the commitment would "strengthen the shared prosperity of both countries and the industries of the future."
Attendees included John Noh, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs; David Wilezol, deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea and Japan; Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat; and Rep. Joe Wilson, a South Carolina Republican. No officials above the assistant secretary level attended. Last year's reception drew Elbridge Colby, under secretary of defense for policy, and Michael DeSombre, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, who oversees working-level diplomacy with Korea and the region.
Wilezol said the sacrifices of troops from the two countries and other participants in the Korean War laid the foundation of the alliance, urging officials from both governments to "find a way forward together, even when there are difficulties."
