South Korea to ensure it's not 'passed over' in US-North Korea talks

South Korea is actively seeking to play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and North Korea, aiming to prevent being sidelined in crucial negotiations. National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong stated that Seoul will support US efforts to build trust and resume talks, emphasizing the need for practical progress on denuclearization and establishing a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

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One point to be mindful of is that the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue should be accompanied by progress in building a peace system on the Korean Peninsula and substantive progress on the North Korean nuclear issue.

"One point to be mindful of is that the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue should be accompanied by progress in building a peace system on the Korean Peninsula and substantive progress on the North Korean nuclear issue," Cho said during a briefing. He stressed that South Korea must ensure its security posture is not weakened and that it is not "passed over" in the process.

This comes after US President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military drills with South Korea, signaling a willingness to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Concerns have been raised in Seoul about potentially being excluded from key discussions.

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Simultaneously, it is important to ensure that our security posture is not weakened and that South Korea is not passed over in this process.

To navigate these complexities, Cho highlighted the critical importance of policy coordination and communication between South Korea and the US. He noted that various issues, including investment, security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the transfer of wartime operational control, are being managed to strengthen the alliance.

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For these efforts to proceed smoothly, policy coordination and communication between South Korea and the US are more important than ever.

In parallel, Cho announced that South Korea will begin preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in November. This follows a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who visited Seoul. The dialogue channel between the South Korean National Security Advisor and the Chinese Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission was restored after a five-year hiatus, with plans for regular meetings and a potential reciprocal visit by Cho to China.

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We have agreed to operate this channel regularly and will continue to discuss a visit to China at a mutually convenient time as part of this effort.