Bolton holds talks with S. Korean counterpart on Japan's trade restrictions
- 5 years ago
Let's start with John Bolton, in Seoul for high-stakes talks with officials here.
The U.S. National Security Advisor had met with his South Korean counterpart this morning and is onto his next meeting with other Korean officials.
Let's get the latest from our presidential correspondent Shin Se-min.
Se-min
We are learning that John Bolton has already held a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong here at the top office and has moved on to his next appointment, a meeting with Korea's defense chief Jeong Kyeong-doo.
As for the meeting between the security chiefs,... given that it was a closed-door encounter,... we are still waiting for those details to come out,... but we can speculate that the two had discussed Japan's trade restrictions against Seoul as well as the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
The ongoing trade spat between South Korea and Japan is of course a concerning issue for Washington as well as the rift between the two Asian nations,... who are both close allies to the U.S.,... could even jeopardize security in the region.
Seoul had hinted that it may consider ditching the General Security of Military Information Agreement, known as the GSOMIA with Tokyo,... which would be a great blow to Washington's pursuit of stronger three-way security cooperation.
And that pact is seen as key to countering North Korean threats as well as checking China's growing military clout in the region.
So the Seoul-Tokyo trade row cannot be seen as just an issue between those two nations.
And to strongly make that case,... the floor leader of South Korea's main opposition Liberty Korea Party Na Kyung-won requested a meeting with Bolton earlier this morning and expressed how Japan's retaliatory trade restrictions against Seoul are damaging trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.
What are some of the other issues that could come up from Bolton's meetings with South Korean officials today?
Right, the presidential office had previously said that the high-level U.S. official's trip to Seoul isn't necessarily limited to one issue or another.
Rather,... in order to maintain close bilateral relations between the allies,... such a meeting is essential.
But I just want to point out it is Bolton's first solo trip to Seoul at a time when a high-level U.S. consultation is critical perhaps indicating that the current issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula do require some mediation by Washington.
Also likely to be brought up today,... consultations on the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. is hoping to build a multinational force to safeguard commercial shipping in that area amid the tensions with Iran and its activities there in recent weeks.
And to wrap up his trip,... Bolton will also sit down with South Korea's top diplomat later today before leaving Seoul at 4 PM.
Mark?
The U.S. National Security Advisor had met with his South Korean counterpart this morning and is onto his next meeting with other Korean officials.
Let's get the latest from our presidential correspondent Shin Se-min.
Se-min
We are learning that John Bolton has already held a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong here at the top office and has moved on to his next appointment, a meeting with Korea's defense chief Jeong Kyeong-doo.
As for the meeting between the security chiefs,... given that it was a closed-door encounter,... we are still waiting for those details to come out,... but we can speculate that the two had discussed Japan's trade restrictions against Seoul as well as the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
The ongoing trade spat between South Korea and Japan is of course a concerning issue for Washington as well as the rift between the two Asian nations,... who are both close allies to the U.S.,... could even jeopardize security in the region.
Seoul had hinted that it may consider ditching the General Security of Military Information Agreement, known as the GSOMIA with Tokyo,... which would be a great blow to Washington's pursuit of stronger three-way security cooperation.
And that pact is seen as key to countering North Korean threats as well as checking China's growing military clout in the region.
So the Seoul-Tokyo trade row cannot be seen as just an issue between those two nations.
And to strongly make that case,... the floor leader of South Korea's main opposition Liberty Korea Party Na Kyung-won requested a meeting with Bolton earlier this morning and expressed how Japan's retaliatory trade restrictions against Seoul are damaging trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.
What are some of the other issues that could come up from Bolton's meetings with South Korean officials today?
Right, the presidential office had previously said that the high-level U.S. official's trip to Seoul isn't necessarily limited to one issue or another.
Rather,... in order to maintain close bilateral relations between the allies,... such a meeting is essential.
But I just want to point out it is Bolton's first solo trip to Seoul at a time when a high-level U.S. consultation is critical perhaps indicating that the current issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula do require some mediation by Washington.
Also likely to be brought up today,... consultations on the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. is hoping to build a multinational force to safeguard commercial shipping in that area amid the tensions with Iran and its activities there in recent weeks.
And to wrap up his trip,... Bolton will also sit down with South Korea's top diplomat later today before leaving Seoul at 4 PM.
Mark?