Seoul: South Korea will push for robust high-level exchanges with the incoming U.S. administration of Donald Trump this year while seeking to steadily advance the bilateral alliance with Washington under its acting leadership, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The ministry unveiled its policy plans for 2025, as the country is expected to face challenges in coordinating approaches on key issues, such as security, economy, and North Korea, with the U.S. administration under Trump, known for his "America First" foreign policy stance.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the policy plans were reported to acting President Choi Sang-mok. The ministry said it will seek common ground in the two countries' policies and work to create new areas of cooperation, such as shipbuilding-an area Trump specifically mentioned during his phone talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol soon after his election win in November.
"We are closely in talks with Washington about high-level communication, including a potential visit to the United States by our foreign minister at the earliest date possible," a ministry official told reporters. Amid uncertain domestic and international environments, the ministry said it will remain "steadfast to swiftly respond and ensure there will be no diplomatic gaps" in its engagement with foreign partners.
The ministry said it will make active efforts to enhance the security dialogue platforms established with Washington to deter North Korea, including the Nuclear Consultative Group. On North Korea, the ministry said it will "proactively prepare" for possible talks between the U.S. and North Korea through close coordination with Washington.
It will work with like-minded countries to "ensure a staunch defense posture against any provocations from Pyongyang and be prepared to sternly respond" to the deepening military cooperation between the North and Russia, the ministry said. The ministry pledged to make its best interagency efforts to address key economic issues arising under Trump's second term, including new tariffs, potential adjustments to the Inflation Reduction Act affecting South Korean electric vehicle and energy companies, and the CHIPS Act concerning semiconductor manufacturers.
With Japan, it will seek to keep the positive momentum alive by managing pending wartime history issues, as the two countries are working on various projects to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year. The government also plans to use the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, to be hosted by Seoul in November, as an occasion to facilitate a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and further strengthen bilateral relations.
It will continue to strengthen cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a member of its four Indo-Pacific partners, consisting of Australia, Japan and New Zealand, as well as with the Group of Seven advanced nations, the ministry said.