"It's not easy to hold a summit within two weeks as Trump wanted"... Discussions on the role of USFK begin in earnest

Ahead of the Korea-US summit, discussions between the two countries on the role change of USFK, where there is a significant difference in perspective, are beginning in earnest. The role change of USFK has been an issue that the Lee Jae-myung administration has been reluctant to discuss as it is intertwined with the Taiwan issue. Moreover, as the positions of the two countries diverge on the modernization of the Korea-US alliance, finding a compromise seems difficult. As a result, there is a prospect that the Korea-US summit, which was initially expected in August, could be delayed by 1-2 weeks. President Donald Trump proposed holding a summit within two weeks immediately after the Korea-US tariff negotiations were concluded late last month. However, President Lee left for his first vacation since taking office to Jeodo 'Cheonghaedae' in Geoje from the 8th. Next week, there is a scheduled presidential national appointment ceremony combined with the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day. 
According to diplomatic sources on the 4th, the Korea-US sides are currently undergoing final negotiations on detailed issues such as agenda, schedule, and draft joint statements at the working-level. The main agenda of this summit includes the modernization of the Korea-US alliance, the transfer of wartime operational control, North Korea's denuclearization, defense cost increase, and follow-up detailed measures on tariff negotiations, covering a wide range of economic and security issues.
After meeting with senior White House officials, Minister Cho Hyun, who returned on the 3rd, said about the role change of USFK, "(During the visit to the US) we did not go into depth. The Korea-US combined posture is very important, and we talked about the contribution of USFK to peacekeeping on the Korean Peninsula and future international situations," adding, "Anything beyond that will be discussed at the working level." Minister Cho met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President's National Security Advisor Andrew Baker, and others during his visit to the US last week to hear the US's requests related to the modernization of the Korea-US alliance.
However, Minister Cho could not confirm the exact date of the Korea-US summit. Upon returning to the airport, Minister Cho said, "Since we are making final adjustments, it is difficult to confirm the date yet," adding, "It will not go beyond this month." There is also an analysis that the Korea-US summit date cannot be confirmed as the two countries have not found a point of contact regarding the role change of USFK. Immediately, there is a divergence of opinions even between the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of National Defense regarding the Korea-US joint exercise in mid-August.
The necessity of being cautious rather than hastily holding a summit with President Trump was also raised. A cautious summit is required regarding the important role change of USFK for the security of the Korean Peninsula, involvement in the Taiwan issue, the transition of operational control, and the North Korean nuclear issue.
On the other hand, the opposition party has been urging President Lee's immediate visit to the US and the holding of a summit, criticizing the government's 'passive diplomacy.' It is argued that a prompt Korea-US summit is necessary to strengthen the strategic alliance. A government official said about this, "The summit itself is not the goal, but the environment where substantial results can be derived is important," adding, "We intend to focus on sufficient preparation and substance rather than hastily advancing the schedule." 






rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter