South Korean Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo said Seoul and Washington are working toward "normalization" of intelligence sharing after a meeting in Washington. The efforts follow US reports of partially curbing access over Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's mention of a North Korean uranium site in Kusong. Seoul insists the information was open-source.
In Washington, Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo told Yonhap News Agency after meeting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, "That is what we are trying to do. Both sides are making (efforts)" toward "normalization."
He added on misunderstandings, "We had discussed (issues), including that. Let's wait and see." Reports indicate the US partially restricted South Korea's access to satellite intelligence on North Korea after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young referred to the Kusong area as hosting uranium enrichment facilities. Seoul views this as open-source information, while the US sees it as a confidential disclosure. A senior Trump administration official stated the US "expects all our partners to safeguard sensitive U.S. information that has been shared in private channels."
South Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac said in Hanoi, "We are actively communicating with the U.S. over this issue... Both sides are making efforts to find an exit." He noted it is "difficult to either confirm or deny" any curb, emphasizing a return to normal cooperation.
Jeong is in the US to attend a Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons meeting at UN headquarters in New York next week. The meeting between North Korea experts was expected to address the issue in depth.
