SEOUL, South Korea’s foreign minister nominee vowed Monday to focus on accelerating cooperation with the United States and Japan amid growing missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.
North Korea has recently upped the ante on the Korean Peninsula, firing several dozens of artillery shells near the inter-Korean border for three consecutive days.
“We will push for South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, which was institutionalized at the Camp David trilateral summit, with greater depth and speed,” Cho Tae-yul said in a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.
He stressed the ministry will seek to dissuade North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and work in cooperation with the international community to help Pyongyang realize that achieving denuclearization through dialogue is the “only way to survive.”
“Denuclearization and strengthening nuclear deterrence have become urgent security tasks as North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities have reached a level that threatens our lives,” he said.
Cho emphasized the “world is turning into a jungle ruled by the logic of power,” noting multiple global challenges, including the Ukrainian war and U.S.-China rivalry.
The nominee added he will ramp up efforts to boost the South Korea-U.S. alliance, while continuing to improve ties with Japan and focusing on building trust with China for future cooperation.
Foreign Minister nominee Cho Tae-yul takes an oath at the start of his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2024. (Yonhap)
Foreign Minister nominee Cho Tae-yul takes an oath at the start of his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2024. (Yonhap)
During the hearing, Cho reaffirmed his position on pushing for the government’s plan to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule through a foundation funded by South Korean companies.
In March last year, Seoul announced its plan to compensate 15 victims through the “third-party reimbursement system” without compensa
tion from liable Japanese firms, which was initially met with a strong backlash from victims who demanded Japan’s apology and direct participation in the compensation process.
“I will put in every effort as there is no breakthrough other than the third-party compensation plan,” he said.
Cho was also questioned about his suspected involvement in a high-profile judicial power abuse scandal centering on former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae under the previous administration of President Park Geun-hye.
The former chief justice is accused of having orchestrated a delay in the deliberation of a damages suit filed by the forced labor victims to curry favor with Park, who was seeking amicable relations with Tokyo.
Cho, the then second vice foreign minister, allegedly held multiple consultations with a senior top court official, also implicated in the scandal.
Source: Yonhap News Agency