Korean Media: Blue House Acknowledges "Korean-U.S. Relations Crisis," Citing Discrepancy in Perceptions Between U.S. and Jeong Dong-yeong
¬ Controversy over Jeong Dong-yeong's alleged disclosure of classified information provided by the U.S. has triggered tensions between Korea and the U.S. Wi Seong-ro said: "Differences in perception between the U.S. and Jeong Dong-yeong have led to this incident." He added, "We immediately communicated with the U.S. after the incident and are actively seeking a breakthrough." He emphasized, "We do not wish for the Coupang issue to affect Korean-U.S. security consultations," comparing alliance management to tending a garden: "It requires careful coordination."
In March, South Korean Unification Minister Jeong Dong-yeong sparked diplomatic friction between Seoul and Washington by mentioning that "Guseong County in North Pyongan Province" is a site of North Korea’s weapons-grade uranium enrichment facilities. In response, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-ro stated: "South Korea believes (Korean-U.S. relations) should return to normal cooperation as soon as possible, and we are currently negotiating accordingly with the United States." This effectively acknowledges at the government leadership level that the recent dispute has placed Korean-U.S. relations in an abnormal, non-smooth state.
On the 23rd, President Lee Jae-myung conducted a state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, where Wi Seong-ro held a press conference locally, stating: "After the incident occurred, extensive communication took place between Korea and the U.S., both sides are striving to find a way forward." He noted: "It may take some time," adding, "We will clarify the situation, align our direction, and work toward resolving it as quickly as possible."
On March 6, Jeong Dong-yeong appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification, publicly asserting that, in addition to the known sites of Yongbyon in North Pyongan Province and Kangseo in Nampo Special City, "Guseong County in North Pyongan Province" is also a location of North Korea’s weapons-grade uranium enrichment facilities. It is reported that the U.S. deemed Jeong’s remarks as a breach of classified information, subsequently restricting certain intelligence data—such as satellite imagery and surveillance reports related to North Korea—that had previously been shared with South Korea. Jeong defended his statements, claiming they were based solely on publicly available sources, not on U.S.-provided classified intelligence. On the 20th, President Lee Jae-myung posted on X (formerly Twitter), shielding Jeong Dong-yeong by stating: "All claims and actions based on the premise that Minister Jeong leaked information provided by the U.S. are incorrect."
Wi Seong-ro pointed out: "Minister Jeong maintained he presented information derived from public sources (not U.S. intelligence), but the U.S. considers its intelligence as having been compromised." He acknowledged: "There exists a difference in perception." Wi explained: "Jeong’s account was that the information was not drawn from U.S.-supplied intelligence, but we are uncertain how the U.S. views the matter." He further noted: "Jeong has repeatedly clarified that, according to his recollection, the statement had no connection to intelligence provided by the U.S." In other words, despite Jeong’s explanations, the U.S. might still conclude that a classified leak occurred.
Recently, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters submitted a statement to the National Assembly indicating that "the entire matter concerning North Korea’s uranium enrichment facilities falls under the category of 'jointly classified' information between Korea and the U.S., and thus remains restricted from public disclosure." This suggests Jeong’s comments may have involved a potential breach of jointly classified information.
However, Wi Seong-ro stated: "If Minister Jeong had indeed received joint classified information and then made such remarks in Parliament, that would certainly be a serious issue. But he consistently maintains that he never received any briefing on such intelligence." He added: "In other words, the joint classified information remained confidential even from Minister Jeong, meaning he was unaware of it." He further remarked: "Therefore, given the circumstances, there clearly exists a divergence in positions," suggesting: "It may be necessary to distinguish the so-called joint classified status from Minister Jeong’s statements."
Recently, the U.S. informed South Korea that if legal issues surrounding the Coupang personal data leak—including penalties and sanctions—are not resolved, high-level diplomatic talks under the Korea-U.S. Security Agreement—particularly those aimed at securing South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and access to uranium enrichment and reprocessing rights—will be difficult to advance.
In response, Wi Seong-ro acknowledged: "The Coupang issue indeed has affected Korean-U.S. security consultations." He emphasized: "The government has consistently opposed linking the Coupang case to security agreements, and we are conducting extensive communications with the U.S. We believe the Coupang legal matter should be handled strictly according to law, while security negotiations must proceed independently." He added: "It is true that security consultations have been delayed, which is detrimental to the overall alliance relationship. South Korea has consistently maintained that delays are unacceptable and that discussions should resume as soon as possible."
Public opinion holds that the accumulation of events—from the Coupang incident to Jeong Dong-yeong’s remarks—has collectively triggered a "Korean-U.S. alliance crisis." In response, Wi Seong-ro said: "Although the alliance is extremely close, it still requires proper coordination." He referenced a metaphor: "Some compare the alliance to a garden." His implication being: just as a neglected garden quickly becomes overrun with weeds, failure to properly manage the Korean-U.S. alliance could lead to cracks and rifts.
Wi Seong-ro further stated: "Korean-U.S. relations are a close alliance, inevitably involving various unresolved issues that surface over time—this current problem is no exception." He added: "These are all normal phenomena within the process; attributing the current situation solely to an abnormal atmosphere represents an overinterpretation."
On the 21st, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, stating: "Political convenience must not override the conditions for transfer." He stressed that the transfer of wartime operational command should not be subject to political interference. In response, Wi Seong-ro affirmed: "The transfer of operational command began during the Roh Moo-hyun administration," emphasizing: "Advancing this transfer is not a matter of political convenience." He added: "While the issue of operational command cannot be taken lightly from a military standpoint, fundamentally it remains a political decision."
Sources: Chosun Ilbo
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863408685921292/
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