'Nuclear Submarines, Shipbuilding, Nuclear Fuel' Korea-U.S. Working-level Consultative Body to Launch... Follow-up Measures Begin After Summit

At the Korea-U.S. summit, it was agreed to establish working-level consultative bodies for nuclear-powered submarines, shipbuilding cooperation, and civilian nuclear fuel. Park Yunju, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting the United States, held a vice ministerial meeting with Christopher Thomas Landau, Deputy Secretary of State, at the DOS on the 1st (local time), where they agreed to launch these working-level consultative bodies as follow-up measures to the summit.
The vice ministers of both countries agreed to promptly and faithfully implement the major agreements outlined in the 'Joint Fact Sheet' adopted on the 14th of last month, including shipbuilding cooperation, nuclear-powered submarines, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, by swiftly launching sector-specific working-level consultative bodies. This vice ministerial meeting marks the first high-level Korea-U.S. meeting since the release of the Joint Fact Sheet, which was agreed upon during the reciprocal visits of President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in August and October.
Park Yunju requested, 'Let us promptly begin Korea-U.S. consultations on South Korea's civilian uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.' In response, Deputy Secretary Landau stated, 'Let us maintain close communication between both sides.' The vice ministers also agreed to work together to ensure that consultations on nuclear-powered submarines and shipbuilding cooperation proceed in earnest. Park Yunju explained South Korea's efforts to implement the 'Joint Fact Sheet' and requested that the U.S. take reciprocal measures, such as tariff reductions, as soon as possible. In this regard, Howard William Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, announced that, in accordance with the trade agreement between Korea and the United States, tariffs on Korean automobiles would be retroactively reduced to 15% from the 1st of last month.
Regarding improvements to the U.S. visa system, the vice ministers confirmed that substantial progress has been made, such as the establishment of a dedicated visa consultation desk for Korean companies, based on discussions held during Deputy Secretary Landau's visit to Korea last September. Park Yunju also requested Deputy Secretary Landau's continued attention to ensure smooth and stable visits to the United States by Korean businesspeople and technical personnel.
During this visit to the United States, Park Yunju is also scheduled to have a separate dinner with officials from the National Security Council (NSC) and the DOS responsible for Korean Peninsula affairs, where they will exchange views on the faithful implementation of summit follow-up measures and North Korea policy.
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter