Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at his residence on April 16 for a discussion on bilateral as well as regional and global issues, including ways to strengthen the ROK-US strategic alliance, the KORUS (Korea-US) FTA, North Korea and its nuclear issue, and the earthquake in Japan.

In view that the KORUS FTA will not only bring economic benefits to both countries but also contribute to enhancing their political and strategic partnership, Minister Kim and Secretary Clinton agreed to make every effort toward early ratification of the FTA. In addition, the two sides agreed to further solidify the ROK-US strategic alliance through successful implementation of alliance readjustment projects, including the planned transfer of wartime operational control and relocation of US Forces Korea’s bases.

Minister Kim and Secretary Clinton appreciated close cooperation between the two countries on North Korea and its nuclear issue, and agreed to continue it. Further, they reaffirmed their common position that the appropriate conditions must be met before the Six-party Talks can resume, including inter-Korean dialogue on denuclearization and North Korea’s demonstration of its genuine willingness toward denuclearization with action. They also shared the view that the international community must respond sternly to North Korea’s uranium enrichment program, as it constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and the September 19 Joint Statement. The two sides urged the North to show responsible attitude on its provocations. 

Minister Kim and Secretary Clinton took note of prompt efforts of the international community, including Korea and the US, to support Japan on the heels of its earthquake, and agreed to work closely together in helping Japan recover and reconstruct itself. Also, they exchanged a wide range of views on regional and global issues, including the recent developments in the Middle East and the East Asia Summit, which the US will join as a new member. They concurred to bolster cooperation in this regard.

The two sides agreed to hold a ROK-US Deputy-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue and a ROK-US Meeting of Foreign and Defense Deputy Ministers in Washington on April 26 for discussions on follow-up measures to the ROK-US Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting in July 2010 and the latest Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

In the meeting, Minister Kim and Secretary Clinton agreed to assign their diplomats to work at each other’s Foreign Ministries in a bid to facilitate close communication and build a human network between the two sides. To this end, the two sides plan to conclude an MOU between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of State on the establishment of a staff exchange program during the Deputy-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue on April 26.

Secretary Clinton invited Minister Kim to visit the US at a convenient time for a further discussion on ways to enhance the bilateral alliance and cooperation. The two sides agreed to consider holding the Foreign-Ministerial strategic dialogue in the upcoming meeting.