Allies’ foreign ministers to meet over N.K. provocations

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will hold talks with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry to discuss a range of issues, including North Korea’s recent provocations and the bilateral summit slated for October, during his visit to the U.S. from Saturday to next Monday.

Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the bilateral meeting will be held on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers over Arctic-related issues, called “Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience,” in Anchorage, Alaska.

The date is yet to be determined, but the meeting between Yun and Kerry will be held during the Arctic meeting slated to take place between Sunday and Monday, Seoul officials said.

Yun and Kerry will discuss joint efforts to strengthen the bilateral strategic alliance, whose importance was reaffirmed in the wake of Pyongyang’s recent provocations including the Aug. 4 land mine attack, the ministry said. The ministers will also review bilateral preparations for the summit between President Park Geun-hye and her U.S. counterpart Barack Obama, which is slated to take place in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16.

Before his participation in the Arctic meeting, Yun will also attend a meeting of U.S.-based South Korean diplomats to discuss ways to strengthen Korea’s public diplomacy toward the U.S. and enhance the safety of South Korean nationals in the U.S.

During the “GLACIER” meeting, Yun is to explain Seoul’s efforts to tackle climate change and address other Arctic-related issues. South Korea joined the Arctic Council as a permanent observer in May 2013 amid global competition for resource development and other opportunities in the region.

Yun also plans to visit the U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii, to meet with key U.S. military leaders before returning to Seoul.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)