The U.S. and South Korea planned their first regular consultation to coordinate overall North Korea policy, but disagreements between the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led to a rocky start. Analysts noted on Tuesday that collaboration between the Donald Trump administration and the Lee Jae Myung government began in an awkward atmosphere.
The regular consultation, held in Seoul that morning, included Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Strategic Information Bureau, as South Korea’s chief representative, while Kevin Kim, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea, represented the U.S.
This meeting aimed to regularize North Korea policy coordination by utilizing existing communication channels between both countries’ foreign ministries. The intention was to comprehensively discuss North Korea policy before President Trump’s visit to China next April.
However, the Ministry of Unification raised concerns about discussing North Korea issues under the Foreign Ministry’s leadership, highlighting internal discord stemming from pro-independence and pro-alliance factions.
The disagreement over North Korea policy reignited tensions between these factions. The Foreign Ministry maintains that while the Unification Ministry sets policy direction, international cooperation and U.S.-South Korea coordination should be managed through diplomatic channels. Reports indicate the U.S. shares this view.
The Unification Ministry insists on involvement in North Korea discussions. They attempted to coordinate participation but ultimately abstained. The Foreign Ministry’s refusal to relinquish leadership prompted a stance resembling a boycott.
On Monday, the Unification Ministry stated that the Foreign Ministry’s discussions with the U.S. are follow-ups to the summit’s joint fact sheet, addressing diplomatic issues. They added that for North Korea policy matters, they would conduct separate consultations with the U.S. as needed. This suggests an attempt to emphasize their role in North Korea policy.
The Unification Ministry expressed reluctance about the consultations resembling the 2018 U.S.-South Korea Working Group. This group, established during Moon Jae-in’s administration, faced criticism for potentially becoming a U.S. pre-approval gateway, conflicting with the pro-independence faction’s priorities.
The Foreign Ministry argues that the North Korean nuclear issue, being an international concern, necessitates their leadership in U.S.-South Korea consultations. They view the Working Group as a special case, distinct from the traditional handling of nuclear issues.
U.S. Raises Issue of Disagreement Within South Korean Government, Expected to Take Lead on North Korea Matters
Analysts suggest this reflects U.S. skepticism towards South Korea, preferring North Korea dialogue to take precedence over South Korea’s independent policy push.
Kim reportedly expressed on November 25 that the government’s approach toward North Korea was too conciliatory. He emphasized maintaining sanctions and increasing human rights pressure, aligning with Trump’s stance for overwhelming superiority over North Korea.
Minister Chung Dong-young refuted this approach on December 10, stating that sanctions and human rights pressure don’t enhance negotiating power with North Korea.
The pro-independence faction’s focus on bilateral relations contrasts with the pro-alliance view of aligning with the international community. This tension reportedly escalated into near-conflict ahead of the consultations.
The U.S. entered the meeting aware of this discord, likely to raise the issue again to secure negotiation leadership.
Experts argue that to make Trump’s April China visit a turning point, South Korea must quickly resolve internal conflicts and use them to drive U.S.-South Korea communication. They stress that disagreements and conflicts are distinct concepts.