The gap in which the Moon Jae-in administration limited the declaration of the end of the war to negotiations between the ROK and the US and the US expanded to the Indo-Pacific strategic region was confirmed in the Korea-U.S.-Japan loan agreement.
"The United States is very pleased with consultations with South Korea, Japan, and other allies and partners on the best way to ensure the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at a press conference at the Korea-U.S.-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers' Conference press conference on the 17th. ” reported the Voice of America (VOA).
Deputy Minister Sherman reaffirmed that "discussion and coordination with allies and partners are continuing" in response to a question about the U.S. position on the end-of-war declaration proposed by South Korea at a press conference held by the Korea-U.S.-Japan Vice Ministers' Council on the same day. "Every time we consult and coordinate with each other, We always believe that good results come out of ensuring the interests of each country and the global interests of peace and security,” he said, as a 'problem for consultation with the Indo-Pacific allies.'
At a press conference on the 17th, Deputy Secretary Sherman said, “On the issue around end of war statement. I'm very satisfied." He said it as an 'end of war statement' as opposed to an 'end of war declaration'.
Regarding the results of the meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-gun the day before, the U.S. State Department said in a statement, “Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Choi reaffirmed that the ROK-U.S. alliance is a linchpin for peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. "The two men discussed a joint commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with North Korea," he said.
As a result of the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea stated, “The two Vice Ministers evaluated the thorough communication and cooperation at each level on ways to advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, including the declaration of an end to the Korean War, and continued to develop practical measures to bring North Korea to the table of dialogue. We decided to negotiate with the
Deputy Secretary of State Sherman remarked at both the press conferences without South Korea and Japan, saying, "We had a very constructive tripartite consultation. We discussed the three countries' joint commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with respect to North Korea." "The US is hostile to North Korea. "We believe that diplomacy and dialogue are essential for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace," he said.
Deputy Secretary of State Sherman said, “The alliance with South Korea and Japan will be a key pillar in resolving various problems facing the United States and the international community. etc.,” he said, linking the trilateral consultations with the Indo-Pacific strategy.
The first three Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Vice Ministers' Meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan in July, and the next meeting is scheduled to be held next year, so the declaration of an end to the war has become difficult to make on the agenda again.
Deputy Minister Choi told South Korean correspondents at Dulles International Airport in Washington on the 14th that "there is no difference between the ROK and the US on the promotion of the end of the war."
When asked about Vice Minister Choi Jong-gun's definition of China as a 'strategic partner' on the 15th, Deputy Minister Sherman said, "We discussed a number of issues, including our relationship with China. “I think we all agree that there are areas to cooperate with China and areas to compete fiercely with China,” he said. There are fields to challenge,” he said, classifying the 'end-of-war declaration' as a 'challenge field' with China.
On the 15th, Vice Minister Choi replied, “They are strategic partners” to a question about “Korea’s position on China” at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Secretary Sherman, Indo-Pacific, End of War Declaration, China, Choi Jong-gun, ROK-U.S. Alliance, Korea-U.S.-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers Consultation, Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula