Breaking Bread and Borders: Cho Tae-yeol and Richard Haas Unite for a New Era of Diplomacy
▲ Minister Cho Tae-yeol luncheon meeting with Richard Haas, Honorary Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations
[시사일보=유양수 기자] Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol, during his visit to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, had a lunch meeting with Richard Haass, Honorary Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, on September 26, local time, and discussed the ROK-U.S. alliance, Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and the North Korean nuclear issue. , exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest, including G7 cooperation and prospects for the US presidential election.
Minister Cho praised Honorary Chairman Haas for his consistent support of the ROK-U.S. alliance and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and emphasized that Korea is not a unilateral beneficiary of the ROK-U.S. alliance, but rather bears a high level of defense spending and achieves mutual benefits through leading investments in the U.S. He emphasized that it is an exemplary country expanding and a key partner of the United States.
Honorary Chairman Haas said that he believes that Korea is a true partner that shares values with the United States. In particular, he evaluated the normalization of Korea-Japan relations and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation following President Yoon’s decision as a significant event that had a great impact on the current diplomatic order, and will continue to do so in the future. He said he would provide full support for strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.
Minister Cho explained that Korea is contributing to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the international community through Korea’s unique and differentiated contributions by practicing its vision as a global pivotal nation, including protecting democratic values and cooperation with the Global South. He said he hopes to further expand through this G7 Plus cooperation.
Honorary Chairman Haas said that in light of Korea’s economic, diplomatic, and defense industry scale and its capabilities and will to contribute to the international community, Korea’s participation in the G7 is considered natural and a good idea.
Honorary Chairman Haas expressed concern about the issue of increased cooperation and exchange between North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran (referred to as the “gang of four”), including both North Korea and Russia, and emphasized that strengthening alliances and small group cooperation is necessary at times like these. In this regard, Minister Cho emphasized that as North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities become more sophisticated, there is a need to continue to cooperate to strengthen extended deterrence and implement UN Security Council resolutions with the international community.
Minister Cho and Honorary Chairman Haas also exchanged opinions on Korea-Japan, Korea-China, China-North Korea relations, and Russia-North Korea military cooperation.