Courtesy call comes amid submarine, trade issues
South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with newly arrived U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel on Friday in a courtesy call, the presidential office said, as the two allies face a range of security, trade and economic issues.
The meeting served primarily as a welcome for Steel following her arrival in South Korea, according to the presidential office, which said Wi met Steel to welcome her to her new post and exchange views on ways to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. relationship.
While the meeting was introductory in nature, the two sides are currently dealing with several major bilateral issues, the presidential office said. Those include security negotiations involving South Korea’s planned development of nuclear-powered submarines and possible revisions to the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement.
Trade issues, including disputes surrounding Coupang, may also have been discussed, the presidential office said. The two officials may also have exchanged views on economic cooperation, including South Korean investment in the United States.
The report was originally published by Asia Today and translated by UPI.