Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell and ROK First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun Before Their Meeting – United States Department of State

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  Good afternoon, everyone, and happiest holiday greetings to all of you.  I wanted to say I’m so pleased to be welcoming my dear friend Vice Foreign Minister Kim here to the State Department and to the United States.  He’s always most welcome, but particularly right now we appreciate his coming to Washington for important consultations. 

I do want to just underscore here clearly our strong confidence in the ROK and our deep belief in the democracy and the constitutional provisions in the country.  We’ve obviously been watching circumstances closely, and we are in the closest possible touch with our counterparts. 

I do want to just take a moment for – if I can – over the course of the last few weeks, we have relied on essential communications with our colleagues and partners in the ministry of foreign affairs.  And I want to particularly compliment Vice Foreign Minister Kim for being so determined to keep in touch, to make sure that we are kept up to date on important developments, and we appreciate his professionalism and commitment to our alliance.

We had a major change in command last week.  We are seeking to underscore our strongest possible commitment to the people and to the country.  We wish the ROK well in a challenging period, and I look very much forward to consultations today with the vice foreign minister on ensuring that our partnership remains strong and resolute in a critical time.

FIRST VICE FOREIGN MINISTER KIM:  Well, thank you, Deputy Secretary, for the warm welcome.  It’s good to be here again in the State Department and to meet with you.  We appreciate the United States for the unwavering support of and trust in the ROK-U.S. alliance and the democracy of the Republic of Korea throughout the course of the political situation in Korea. 

Let me assure you, Deputy Secretary, and the United States that governance under Acting President Han Duck-soo is operating stably, and what will unfold in Korea from now on will follow the democratic procedure in accordance with the constitution and rule of law.

I look forward to a discussion with the deputy secretary on how to continue strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance, broad U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation, building upon the achievements we have made so far – not only for the remainder of the Biden administration, but during the upcoming new U.S. administration.

Thank you, Deputy Secretary.

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  Thank you very much.

FIRST VICE FOREIGN MINISTER KIM:  Thank you.

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  Thank you all very much. 

QUESTION:  Can I – can I ask a question?

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  Just quickly.

QUESTION:  U.S. and South Korea NCG group meeting (inaudible) this administration?

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  This is going to be one of the issues that we’re going to discuss today.  Our expectation is that the critical mechanisms in the U.S.-ROK relationship will remain in place, and we believe that a meeting schedule is important.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can you confirm information that North Korea is planning to send more troops and equipment – 

DEPUTY SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  I don’t have anything for you now on that. 

All right, thank you all very much.  Thank you.

QUESTION:  Thank you so much.