Foreign Minister Meets with Delegation of U.S. Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK)

Foreign Minister Meets with Delegation of U.S. Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK)

□ On March 25, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with six members of the United States Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK), including Representative Ami Bera and Representative Young Kim, who are on a visit to the Republic of Korea. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest such as the Korea-U.S. relationship, Korean Peninsula issues, and regional and global cooperation.

※ Six members of the CSGK on a visit to the ROK

- Representative Ami Bera (Co-Chair of the CSGK), Representative Young Kim (Co-Chair of the CSGK), Representative Raul Ruiz, Representative Dan Newhouse, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Representative Deborah Ross

※ Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK)

- Bipartisan study group on Korea in the U.S. Congress / Officially established in February 2018, currently about 80 members of the U.S. Congress are participating.

□ Minister Cho welcomed the visit of the U.S. CSGK delegation and expressed appreciation for their active role in consolidating bipartisan support within the U.S. Congress for the Korea-U.S. "Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance" since President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the U.S. in April last year.

◦ He also commended the delegation's leading role in the discussions related to North Korea in the U.S. Congress. He stated that although North Korea has rejected Korean reunification and declared that the South and the North are two belligerent states, the ROK will continue its unification efforts, and asked for the continued interest of the U.S. Congress in the issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

◦ Minister Cho also expressed concern that cooperation between Russia and North Korea is expanding beyond the military domain into the political and economic spheres. He underscored the need for stronger international sanctions against North Korea, given its continued violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

◦ Emphasizing that the scope of ROK-U.S. cooperation is expanding to encompass a variety of areas including economic security and advanced technology, Minister Cho asked for their efforts to pass a legislation titled "Partner with Korea Act," to address uncertainties in supply of workforce for Korean companies in the U.S.

□ Representative Bera underscored the steadfast and bipartisan support for the Korea-U.S. alliance within the U.S. Congress, and pledged efforts, as co-chair of the CSGK, to strengthen support for the alliance and increase interest in Korean Peninsula issues.

□ Representative Kim expressed concerns about North Korea's ongoing provocations, military cooperation with Russia, and human rights situation, pledging to continue active engagement, as co-chair of the CSGK, in congressional activities to support efforts by the Korean government and the international community to promote human rights in North Korea.

□ The U.S. CSGK delegation highly commended the historic progress of the Korea-U.S. alliance under President Yoon Suk Yeol's leadership and committed to continuing contribution to expanding support for the alliance within the U.S. Congress and furthering bilateral relations.

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