1. On May 30, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, in his capacity as acting Foreign Minister, hosted a luncheon for a US congressional delegation, including Senators Dan Sullivan, Joni Ernst and Cory Gardner, which was on a visit to the Republic of Korea. On the occasion, the two sides exchanged views on major matters of mutual concern across the board, including the ROK-US alliance and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Minister Lim noted with appreciation that the ROK and the US continue to see their ties develop beyond a security and economic alliance into a comprehensive global one in terms of the quality and the scope. He extended appreciation to the visiting Senators and the rest of the US Congress for their steadfast support for the ROK-US alliance.

3. On behalf of the delegation, Senator Sullivan affirmed the firm support of the US Congress and people for the ROK-US alliance, which serves as a linchpin for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. He added that he intended to clearly inform the ROK people of this fact during the visit.

° The Senator stressed that regardless of who is elected the next US President, the support from the US administration and Congress for the ROK-US alliance will remain solid. He also underscored that given the grave situation on the Korean Peninsula, it is important to further strengthen the already firm combined defense posture between the ROK and the US.

4. Vice Minister Lim extended appreciation to the US Congress for its role in handling North Korea and its nuclear issue, including its swift work on the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 in February. He asked the US Congress to continuously pay attention and render support in the course of continuously putting strong pressure on North Korea in close coordination between the ROK government and the international community, including the US.

° In response, Senator Gardner mentioned that the US Congress views North Korea and its nuclear issue as a serious issue, as demonstrated by the nearly unanimous passage of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act through the Senate. He shared the Vice Minister’s view that it is important for the ROK and the US, in close coordination with each other, to seek a thorough implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2270 and thereby put strong pressure on North Korea to make it abandon its nuclear program.


* unofficial translation