MONITORING: A former U.S. government official under the previous Donald Trump administration has met with South Korea’s vice foreign minister and discussed the countries’ bilateral alliance and other issues, Seoul officials said Tuesday.
Fred Fleitz, vice chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) Center for American Security, met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun on Monday and had a broad discussion on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the trilateral cooperation with Japan, North Korean threats, and other regional and global issues, the foreign ministry said.
Fleitz, a former chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump’s term, is visiting Seoul this week for meetings with experts from think tanks, government officials and businesspeople.
His trip draws attention as South Korea and Japan, the U.S.’ Asian allies, are seen as stepping up to grasp Trump’s foreign policy plans if he wins a second term at the White House, after U.S. President Joe Biden’s poor performance at the recent presidential debate.
In Monday’s talks, Fleitz and Kim shared the understanding that the bilateral alliance between Seoul and Washington and the cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are essential and should continue to be strengthened for regional peace and stability.
Fleitz also noted the need to seek dialogue with North Korea to denuclearize it, as the allies maintain a firm deterrence against the reclusive state based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, according to the ministry.
Also present at the meeting was Steve Yates, senior fellow and chair of the AFPI’s China Policy Initiative, the ministry added.
Prior to meeting with Kim, Fleitz visited the Hyundai Motor Group headquarters in southern Seoul for talks with officials at the top South Korean automaker.
