Seoul Vows Close Consultation with Washington After Midterms

Following the recent U.S. midterm elections, South Korea has pledged to continue close consultations with the United States on key bilateral issues affecting their alliance. The South Korean foreign ministry emphasized the importance of collaboration with both the U.S. administration and Congress to ensure smooth investment activities by South Korean companies in the U.S.

Park Doo-soon, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the government aims to deepen the bilateral alliance into a comprehensive strategic partnership through ongoing communication. This commitment comes in light of the Democrats gaining control of both chambers of Congress, which raises questions about how this shift might impact ongoing discussions related to nuclear cooperation and trade.

The South Korean government is particularly focused on advancing its rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel under the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. Despite the recent election results, officials in Seoul remain optimistic about maintaining momentum on these critical issues.

Moreover, the government plans to engage with congressional leaders and newly elected lawmakers to reinforce the alliance. Although there have been delays in follow-up consultations regarding nuclear-powered submarines and other defense projects, communication channels between the two nations remain active, with discussions ongoing to prepare for future security consultations.