Foreign Minister Cho Hyun Holds Back-to-Back Meetings with U.S. Senators in Washington

[Financial News] While visiting the United States, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a series of meetings with U.S. senators during his trip to Washington, D.C. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, Cho met sequentially with Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat, Virginia), Senator Jeff Merkley (Democrat, Oregon), Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton (Republican, Arkansas), and Senator Andy Kim (Democrat, New Jersey).
Cho particularly asked for strong support from the U.S. Congress so that cooperation in key areas such as nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding—fields that can elevate the two countries’ strategic coordination to a new level—can move forward quickly.
Senator Kaine stressed that "in an increasingly grave international environment, the United States needs to further strengthen cooperation with its allies, which is one of its core strengths," and he pledged that, as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, he would "do his utmost to ensure that related cooperation proceeds smoothly." He also noted that his home state of Virginia has a high level of understanding of and support for the nuclear industry, and he expressed his support for nuclear cooperation between Korea and the United States.
Senator Merkley said he "understands the unique security situation facing Korea, including North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats and Russia–North Korea military cooperation," and added that he "looks forward to in-depth discussions on the implementation of agreements related to nuclear energy and nuclear submarines, as well as on issues concerning international non-proliferation norms." In response, Cho explained, "As a model country in nuclear non-proliferation, Korea will implement JFS in a way that strictly separates military and commercial uses of nuclear energy, adheres to international non-proliferation norms, and is based on close communication and transparency with the United States and the IAEA."
Senator Cotton highly valued the continued investment in the United States by Korean companies with advanced capabilities in sectors such as shipbuilding and defense. He also expressed expectations for the potential of Korea–U.S. cooperation in core strategic areas including nuclear energy and nuclear-powered submarines, and proposed that the two sides continue consultations on possible support measures.
Senator Kim noted that during his visit to Korea last August, he confirmed Korea’s strong willingness to cooperate with the United States in major areas such as shipbuilding. Since then, he has been in contact with the administration, including the White House, and has been exploring ways for congressional support to help advance cooperation quickly. He said he would continue to play whatever role is needed. Kim also emphasized that "support within Congress for the ROK-U.S. Alliance is bipartisan, and the two countries’ long-term strategic interests must not be undermined by individual issues."
Cho stated, "Through cooperation between our National Assembly and the Korea Caucus in the U.S. Congress, as well as through the Korea–U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Association, we can further expand channels of cooperation between our two countries," and he asked for strong interest and participation from the U.S. lawmakers. Senators Kaine and Kim said they "welcome exchanges and cooperation with the Korean National Assembly" and added that they would "work closely to invigorate parliamentary diplomacy between Korea and the United States, and among Korea, the United States and Japan."

rainman@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Kyung-soo Reporter