South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Kang Kyung-wha, met Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on April 27 to address tensions with Washington over North Korea intelligence-sharing and a probe into Coupang Inc. The US has restricted intel on North Korean nuclear sites following disclosures by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. The allies discussed ways to manage the issues without harming their alliance.
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha met Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Monday during a brief return home, discussing frictions with Washington over North Korea intelligence-sharing and a probe into Coupang Inc., sources said.
Kang conveyed that the US shares the view against escalating the intel issue and that it should be managed carefully to avoid harming the alliance, according to those familiar. The row stems from Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's parliamentary disclosure last month naming North Korea's Kusong area as one of three uranium enrichment sites, prompting the US to restrict satellite intel on such facilities.
South Korean military officials said the restrictions have not affected capabilities, citing real-time coordination during North Korea's recent missile launches. However, concerns persist over surveillance gaps. On Coupang, probed for a breach affecting over 33 million users, US Republican lawmakers urged Seoul to end a "targeted assault," but the embassy insists it's standard judicial process separate from security talks.
The issues have slowed progress on summit pledges, including South Korea's bids for nuclear-powered submarines and uranium capabilities. Vice Foreign Minister Jeong Yeon-doo recently met US Under Secretary Allison Hooker, stating efforts to normalize ties.
