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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is reported to be visiting Korea early next month after the Chuseok holiday.
It is analyzed that amid the interest in the purpose of the visit to Korea, the possibility of requesting the support of Korea in the middle of the conflict between the United States and China seems to be greater.
Let’s take a look at the details with reporter Jo Soo-hyun from the International Department.
Was the timing of Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Korea confirmed?
[기자]No official announcement has been made yet.
We have requested comment from the US State Department, but the State Department has neither confirmed nor denied.
An official from our government said Secretary Pompeo plans to visit Korea and Japan early next month, and is adjusting the schedule.
The two-day, one-night, and two-day schedule starting on October 7 is known to be the most effective.
Authorities in the Republic of Korea and the US are reportedly currently discussing the size and specific timing of the envoy.
Minister Pompeo accompanied President Trump in June last year when he met with President Kim Jong-un in Panmunjeom.
The exclusive visit to Korea has been for 2 years since October 2018.
[앵커]Can you predict what hours you will have during your visit to Korea?
[기자]First, Secretary Pompeo is expected to speak with his counterpart, Chancellor Kang Kyung-wha, and President Moon Jae-in will also prevent him.
It is expected to discuss ways to strengthen the ROK-US alliance and progress towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
In particular, at the meetings of the ROK and US foreign ministers, the ROK-US alliance topics are expected to be covered at all times.
Also, we can discuss whether to invite Korea in relation to the top 7 countries and the G7 Summit, which have been postponed since the US elections in November.
Some observers say they may make a “surprise proposal” to North Korea a month before the US presidential election as an “October surprise,” but the possibility is unlikely.
It is observed that the possibility of meeting the North during this visit is extremely low.
[앵커]Since visiting Korea just a month before the US presidential election, the record is attracting more attention. What is the purpose?
[기자]Government sources said the visit to Korea appears to be aimed at luring South Korea into a situation where the conflict between the United States and China is escalating.
Therefore, it is an observation that there is a possibility to explain the US position on the US-China conflict and request Korean support.
In fact, at the time of Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Korea and Japan, meetings are being promoted with diplomatic ministers from four countries, known as the “ring,” including the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
It is being promoted in Tokyo, during which time Minister Pompeo is known to have a separate interview with Prime Minister Suga.
The US previously suggested the ‘quadrilateral’ as a starting point, saying there is a need to strengthen multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting of the diplomatic ministers of the four countries has been about a year since we met in the UN General Assembly in September last year.
This meeting is expected to reaffirm the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In particular, the focus is expected to be on finding ways to strengthen cooperation to contain China.
In parallel, the level of requests to participate in Korea may also increase.
[앵커]The US State Department made a comment on the declaration of the end of the war.
[기자]A spokesman for the State Department referred to the unified response between the Republic of Korea and the United States in questioning the feasibility of President Moon’s declaration to end the war.
“The United States and South Korea are closely coordinating their North Korea-related efforts and are committed to close coordination in a united response to North Korea.”
Without giving an immediate response to the declaration of the end of the war, the need for a coordinated and united response between the Republic of Korea and the United States was discussed.
We reaffirm our existing perception that it is necessary to keep up in order not to move forward.
The State Department gave the same response in January when President Moon mentioned that individual tourism does not violate sanctions against North Korea at a New Year’s press conference.
[앵커]What interests us most is the fact that if a visit is made to Korea, we can ask for South Korea’s support in relation to the conflict between the United States and China.
[기자]In an overnight speech in Wisconsin, Secretary Pompeo drew attention to China’s espionage activities.
He says China is looking into allegations that China is trying to influence local US politicians, business groups and schools.
In particular, they are investigating the activities of two groups, the American-China Friendship Association and the China Peace and Unification Promotion Council.
They are linked to the Unification Front, the body of the CPC Central Committee, Pompeo said.
Also, referring to a letter from a Chinese diplomat to a Wisconsin legislator, he criticized China for trying to arouse anxiety through criticism of American racism.
In the letter, it is said that the Chinese government strongly opposes racism and xenophobia against the Chinese community in the United States by Corona 19.
In response, Secretary Pompeo said the Chinese Communist Party wanted to promote a conflict, such as a series of black shootings, and stressed that it cannot be allowed to happen.
With such a heightened conflict between the United States and China, the focus is on Pompeo’s visit to Korea, which is expected to take place immediately after the Chuseok holiday.
[앵커]Until now, I have been the reporter Jo Soo-hyun from the International Department.
