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South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha holds a New Year’s press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Jan. 16. (Baek So-ah

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that the corresponding measures the US may offer in response to North Korean progress toward denuclearization could include “an end-of-war declaration, humanitarian aid, and a permanent channel for dialogue between the US and North Korea.”

During a New Year’s briefing for domestic journalists that was held at the main office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Seoul on Jan. 16, Kang said that South Korea and the US are holding “a range of discussions about corresponding measures.” Her remark about a “permanent channel for dialogue between the US and North Korea” is presumed to be a reference to a liaison office.

During the press conference, Kang was asked whether resuming operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tourism to Mt. Kumgang could be considered a corresponding measure for denuclearization. “South Korea is in close consultation with the US about what kind of corresponding measures could be taken in exchange for denuclearization. For now, the South Korean government is not at the stage of considering the Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang issue,” Kang said in response.

“Since these are major items of interest for South and North Koreans alike, we are bearing them in mind as we continue to review various combinations of steps toward denuclearization and corresponding measures,” Kang added, leaving open the possibility that Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang could be discussed as part of the US’ corresponding measures, depending on the North’s progress toward denuclearization.

When asked about the roadmap for denuclearization, Kang said that “our fundamental approach is a comprehensive agreement and an incremental implementation” of complete denuclearization.

Another topic that came up was speculation that the US might be satisfied with North Korea destroying the ICBMs that are capable of striking the US mainland, even without complete denuclearization, which was prompted by recent remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the US’ ultimate goal is the safety of its people. “Both sides are continuing to confirm that their shared goal is complete denuclearization and to affirm their pledges to each other,” Kang said.

Kang said that defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the US are “out of the hands of the teams of negotiators” and said that she was trying to arrange a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when she attends the World Economic Forum, also called the Davos Forum, which will be held in Switzerland next week. While Kang hopes to make progress in the cost-sharing negotiation during that meeting, she said “it’s too soon to say when or where we’ll reach a breakthrough.”

By Park Min-hee, staff reporter

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