"South Korea Expects a Constructive Role in Middle East Reconstruction"... Foreign Ministry Says It Must Wait for Negotiations on Reconstruction Fund

[Financial News] The South Korean government said it would play a constructive role in the reconstruction of the Middle East after the end of the war between the United States and Iran. However, it said it would need to watch the outcome of ceasefire negotiations before deciding whether to join the reconstruction fund being pursued by the Donald Trump administration. News also emerged that the United States is considering creating a reconstruction fund for Iran worth up to 450 trillion won.
A Foreign Ministry official said on the 16th, "We are closely monitoring related developments regarding future follow-up consultations between the United States and Iran," adding, "As for the reconstruction fund, we will need to wait and see the outcome of negotiations between the two countries." The official also said, "South Korea will play a constructive role in the reconstruction process in the Middle East."
The official also said the ministry is gathering information on the contents of the MOU on the ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran through diplomatic channels.
The official stated the government's basic position, saying, "Freedom of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed," and "No tolls or fees of any kind should be imposed."
The government said it will review possible contributions while closely considering international developments, including the Group of Seven (G7) summit being held in Evian-les-Bains, France, as well as the positions of major countries, including the United States and Iran.
It also said it would not speculate on the possibility of a North Korea–United States summit after the end of the Iran war. It added that the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula would remain unchanged.
A Foreign Ministry official said, "South Korea and the United States have consistently stated that they are open to dialogue with North Korea to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korea's nuclear weapons issue." The ministry explained that "the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a consistent goal of the international community."
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter