Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il speaks at a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il speaks at a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the temporary return of Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha would be "a very timely and useful opportunity to deepen communication and cooperation between the two countries and to explore ways to advance the bilateral relationship."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il made the remarks at a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, saying Kang is scheduled to brief Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and hold working consultations with officials at Cheong Wa Dae and relevant ministries.

Kang will return to Seoul from Wednesday through Sunday at Cho's direction, the ministry said. Park said the foreign minister has regularly communicated directly with ambassadors to hear firsthand assessments of bilateral relations, adding that "the main purpose is to listen to the ambassador's recommendations and candid views on ways to develop the relationship."

Kang is expected to brief Cho on the Coupang Inc. dispute, which has emerged as a point of friction between Seoul and Washington. Discussions are also expected to cover a recent report by the US House Judiciary Committee alleging that South Korea discriminates against American companies, as well as the subsequent White House response.

"On the Coupang Inc. issue and various other matters of mutual interest, South Korea and the United States have been in close and constant communication," Park said. "We believe Ambassador Kang's return will be a good opportunity to deepen that communication and consultation and to discuss a range of options."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Cho will visit Manila, Philippines, from July 22 to 23 to attend a series of ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings.

Park said Cho will co-chair the 29th Korea-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Thailand on July 22 and hold bilateral meetings with the Philippines — this year's ASEAN chair — and other key countries. On July 23, Cho will attend in succession the 27th ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Also on July 23, Cho is set to co-chair the 14th Mekong-Korea Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Thailand.

Park said Cho's visit aims to accelerate implementation of the government's "Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) Vision" and to discuss ways to strengthen practical cooperation with ASEAN in areas including AI and the cultural and creative industries.

Park added that Cho will work with China and Japan under the ASEAN+3 framework to explore ways to strengthen regional supply chain resilience in areas such as energy and food security, and will signal Seoul's commitment to meeting regional security needs including countering transnational crime. Cho also plans to seek ASEAN's continued support for the government's Korean Peninsula policy.


moone@heraldcorp.com