靑 discusses the US presidential elections … “Continued cooperation between the US and the ROK without a gap for peaceful progress on the Korean peninsula”

The head of the Blue House National Security Office, Seo Hoon (center), held a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) held at the National Crisis Management Center on the 5th, with the Minister of Foreign Relations Kang Kyung-hwa (second from right) and the Chief of the National Intelligence Service, Park Ji-won (left). I am present. Provided by the Blue House

President Moon Jae-in received a report on the scenarios for the US presidential elections for two hours on the afternoon of the 5th from permanent members of the National Security Council (NSC), including Seo Hoon, head of the Office. of National Security of the Blue House. In addition to the expected results of the presidential election, if President Donald Trump’s demand to suspend the counting of votes leads to an “ empty state ” of the power of the president-elect, it is known that it will have a considerable impact on our diplomacy and the situation on the Korean peninsula.

President Moon presided over a meeting of the Foreign and Security Ministers at 4 p.m. the same day, discussing countermeasures related to the US presidential election with Director Seo, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, Minister of Unification Lee In-young, President Roh Young-min, the head of the presidential secretary’s office, and President Kim Sang-jo. Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a briefing after the meeting: “ The government will continue to constantly maintain communication and consultation between the diplomatic authorities of the Republic of Korea and the United States, and will cooperate to ensure that there are no gaps in efforts to promote relations between the ROK and the United States and the peace process on the Korean peninsula based on a strong partnership between the ROK and the United States. We decided to go out, ”he said,“ We ​​decided to maintain close cooperation following the existing diplomatic schedule between Korea and the United States as scheduled.

In this regard, Minister Kang told the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs and Transportation that day: “It will take some time for the results of the US presidential elections to be confirmed.” Professor Park Won-gon from Handong University said: “We don’t know when the confusion in America will clear up.” “If President Trump decides to go all the way by all means, the elections can be postponed until next year. In this state, neither party will be able to afford to pay attention to the relationship between the Republic of Korea and the US. “Cha Doo-hyun, Principal Investigator at the Asan Institute for Political Studies, said:” We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea is provocative during an unusual gap. “

The Blue House and the Foreign Office will not send congratulations to either party until the results of the US presidential election are finalized. A Blue House official said: “There are action plans on A and B, such as a congratulatory message to be sent when the US presidential elect is confirmed and a normal call to be taken thereafter.” “In particular, when President Trump filed a lawsuit, there was a question about what will happen after each scenario. We informed the president and shared countermeasures.” The Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Kang will visit Washington from 8 to 10 at the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo. Minister Kang said that not only the Trump administration, but also the diplomatic and security lines of Biden candidates, such as former Deputy Minister of State Michelle Flonoy, who is the strongest defense secretary when the Jo Biden administration is launched, and Democratic Senator Chris Koons, who is considered a candidate for secretary of state. It is known that he is in contact. The Foreign Ministry said: “Minister Kang will also meet with key figures in the United States Congress and academia, exchange views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the region, and ask for their support and cooperation. Joya’s continued efforts in advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. ”

Hyung-jun Hwang [email protected] Go to reporter’s page>Reporter Choi Ji-sun