S. Korea, U.S. agree to exchange liaison diplomats to enhance understanding: State Dept.

South Korea and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding for the exchange of diplomats so the allies can better understand each other's policy-making procedures, the State Department said Tuesday.

The memo, signed by South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jae-shin and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, calls for the State Department to send a liaison to the South Korean Foreign Ministry for up to one year and vice versa.

"This initiative provides an opportunity for the United States and the Republic of Korea to develop a deeper understanding of each other's policy-making processes and to gain exposure to current expertise in each government's interagency processes," the department said in a statement. 

"The U.S. Department of State looks forward to the commencement of this officer exchange. The MOU demonstrates the high level of cooperation and trust between the United States and the Republic of Korea."

Kim is currently in Washington as part of a South Korean delegation to meet with Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, and Derek Mitchell, acting assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, to discuss ways to revive the stalled six-party nuclear talks and other bilateral and regional issues.

(Yonhap news)