TRUMP MIGHT VISIT NORTH KOREA
Cho said delegates have been working closely with US counterparts to advance denuclearisation talks with North Korea.
He said Lee’s administration is keen on reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula and to achieve a permanent peace settlement.
“President Lee has made it clear that he will remain a pacemaker. He will encourage (and support) President Trump to meet with Kim Jong Un,” said Cho, referring to the North Korean leader.
However, the foreign minister added that “patience is an important element” in dealing with Pyongyang, which appears to have maintained a cautious approach since Lee took office in June.
“I’ve been carefully listening to what (North Korea) is saying. It looks like they’ve been careful not to escalate tensions since the launch of (South Korea’s) new government. We can look at it from a positive angle,” he said.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young told reporters on Friday he believed there was a “considerable” chance that Trump will meet Kim during his visit to the peninsula next week.
Trump is reportedly keen to recreate his high-profile meeting with Kim during his first term in office.
USA & CHINA AT APEC
All eyes are also on a possible meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit.
Analysts have expressed concern that the rivalry between the world’s two largest economies could overshadow the forum.
Cho said South Korea is looking forward to hosting Xi in his first visit to South Korea in 11 years.
On balancing ties between Washington and Beijing, Cho said South Korea aims to promote cooperation that benefits all parties.
“Balancing doesn’t mean we are standing in the middle,” he said. ”Depending on the issues, we can have cooperation – (although) somewhat different ideas – with China.”
Under previous President Yoon Suk Yeol, tensions with Beijing simmered as Seoul aligned more closely with Washington.
Cho said “trust-building” is top of the agenda when Chinese and South Korean officials meet at APEC.
“The previous Korean government has been rather criticised for his statements and foreign policy by China. I think this is a good time for us to improve the relationship without losing our basic policy and identity,” he said.
“China seems to be fully aware of the need for cooperation with Korea as well.”
Cho also expressed optimism about Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi, who is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Lee on summit sidelines in Gyeongju.
“I’m sanguine about the new government in Japan,” he said. “Under the circumstances of the changing international situation, the Japanese leader might also think about the need for a closer relationship with Korea.”
The APEC CEO Summit will take place from Oct 29 to 31, alongside the ministerial meetings on Oct 29 and 30.
The APEC economic leaders’ meeting will follow from Oct 31 to Nov 1. The forum is expected to draw around 20,000 delegates, executives and officials.
Source: CNA
