Seoul: Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina met with Michael Rigas, U.S. deputy secretary of state for management and resources, on Friday to discuss ways to boost the alliance and economic partnership, the foreign ministry said. Kim's meeting with Rigas was part of the senior U.S. diplomat's visit to South Korea, which is the first stop in his two-nation tour that will also take him to the Philippines later this week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim expressed her hope to advance the bilateral alliance beyond security matters to include fields such as the economy and advanced technologies through active exchanges between the two countries. Rigas reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to the bilateral alliance and emphasized the need for ongoing close cooperation to further develop ties.
Both parties agreed to enhance communication between the ministry and the department, aiming for a "successful conclusion" to the ongoing tariff negotiations. Rigas, responsible for organization operations and personnel matters at the U.S. State Department, including overseas missions, made the trip amid speculation about possible reforms that could lead to the closure of a consulate in South Korea's southern port city of Busan.
During their meeting, Kim requested attention and support from the U.S. to ensure that changes in U.S. immigration policy do not cause harm or infringe upon the rights of Korean nationals, according to the ministry.