Cho Hyun Reveals US Relief Over Lee Jae-myung Government's Foreign Policy Direction

US Expresses Relief Over New Korean Government's Foreign Policy Direction

During his parliamentary confirmation hearing on July 17, 2025, Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun revealed that the United States has expressed relief regarding the Lee Jae-myung administration's foreign policy direction. Speaking before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Cho stated that he personally received messages indicating America's comfort with South Korea's new diplomatic approach.

The US reportedly welcomed the fact that the new Korean government is not pursuing an 'America for security, China for economy' strategy, nor is it rejecting America outright. This revelation comes at a crucial time as both nations work to strengthen their alliance amid global uncertainties and regional tensions.

Cho explained that his earlier controversial statement about breaking away from the fixed notion of 'visiting America first after taking office' was misunderstood. He clarified that Washington diplomatic circles had sent him many messages of trust, leading him to believe that visiting other countries before the US might be acceptable if necessary. However, he expressed regret if his comments caused any misunderstanding.

The timing of this disclosure is particularly significant as it comes during ongoing tariff negotiations between the two countries, with a deadline set for August 1, 2025. Cho expressed confidence that these negotiations could be completed within two weeks, emphasizing Korea's importance as both a crucial ally and trading partner for the United States.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation Through Korea-Japan-China FTA

One of the most notable aspects of Cho Hyun's testimony was his strong advocacy for reviving the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement and pursuing a trilateral Korea-Japan-China FTA. This represents a significant shift in South Korea's regional economic diplomacy, emphasizing multilateral cooperation in East Asia.

Cho emphasized that beyond the existing Korea-US-Japan cooperation framework, South Korea must also strengthen bilateral Korea-Japan relations and trilateral Korea-Japan-China cooperation. He expressed his belief that the Korea-Japan FTA and Korea-Japan-China FTA should be 'newly and strongly pursued' at some point in the future.

This stance reflects a pragmatic approach to regional economics, recognizing that despite political tensions, economic integration remains beneficial for all parties involved. The nominee also expressed support for maintaining the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan, indicating a commitment to security cooperation alongside economic partnerships.

The push for these trade agreements comes at a time when global supply chains are being restructured and regional economic blocs are gaining importance. Cho's experience as a trade negotiation expert, having served as chief negotiator for the Korea-Japan FTA talks in 2002 and the Korea-US nuclear cooperation agreement revision in 2010, positions him well to advance these initiatives.

North Korea: A Threat That Could Turn Hostile

When questioned about North Korea's status, Cho Hyun provided a nuanced assessment, describing the North as 'an urgent and existential threat that could turn into an enemy.' This characterization reflects the complex nature of inter-Korean relations, acknowledging both the immediate security concerns and the potential for dialogue.

Cho explained that while North Korea poses a threat that could become hostile, it also remains a dialogue partner necessary for creating peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. This dual characterization demonstrates the delicate balance required in South Korea's North Korea policy.

When pressed about specific examples of North Korea acting as an enemy, Cho cited the Korean War (1950-1953). Regarding current North Korean nuclear development and long-range missile launches, he stated that these represent threats that could turn hostile, requiring serious consideration from South Korea.

The nominee acknowledged that North Korea effectively possesses nuclear weapons but emphasized that it cannot be recognized as a nuclear-armed state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He advocated for achieving complete denuclearization through a step-by-step, practical approach, suggesting a pragmatic methodology rather than an all-or-nothing strategy.

Addressing North Korea's 'Hostile Two-State Theory'

One of the most significant foreign policy challenges facing the Lee Jae-myung administration is North Korea's adoption of the 'hostile two-state theory' under Kim Jong-un's leadership. Cho Hyun outlined a strategic approach to address this provocative stance while maintaining South Korea's commitment to eventual unification.

Cho proposed that the short-term goal should be to remove the word 'hostile' from North Korea's 'hostile two-state theory,' while emphasizing that South Korea must never forget about unification. This approach recognizes the practical need to reduce tensions while maintaining the constitutional commitment to Korean reunification.

The 'hostile two-state theory' represents a significant departure from previous North Korean rhetoric, as it explicitly abandons the pretense of seeking peaceful reunification. Instead, it frames the relationship as one between two permanently antagonistic states, potentially justifying more aggressive military postures.

Cho's strategy of gradually de-escalating the hostile rhetoric while preserving unification goals reflects a sophisticated understanding of inter-Korean dynamics. By focusing on removing the 'hostile' element first, South Korea could create space for more constructive dialogue while not abandoning its fundamental principles.

APEC Invitation and Regional Diplomacy Considerations

During the hearing, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Yong-sun requested that North Korea be considered for invitation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju. Cho Hyun's response of 'understood' to this request has generated significant discussion about South Korea's approach to multilateral diplomacy.

Cho noted that while the host country's will is important, achieving meaningful results would require cooperation and agreement from major participating nations. This pragmatic approach acknowledges both South Korea's sovereignty as the host nation and the reality of international consensus-building in multilateral forums.

The potential invitation of North Korea to APEC would represent a significant diplomatic initiative, potentially providing a platform for economic dialogue despite ongoing political tensions. However, such a move would require careful coordination with key APEC members, including the United States, Japan, and other major economies.

This issue highlights the complex balance South Korea must maintain between its role as APEC host, its relationships with major allies, and its desire to create opportunities for engagement with North Korea. The success of such an initiative would depend heavily on the broader geopolitical context and the willingness of other member states to support constructive engagement.

Upcoming US Visit and Tariff Negotiations

Looking ahead, Cho Hyun has indicated plans to visit the United States before the end of July 2025, ahead of the August 1 tariff negotiation deadline. This visit will be crucial for finalizing ongoing trade discussions and coordinating the much-anticipated first summit meeting between Presidents Lee Jae-myung and Donald Trump.

The nominee expressed confidence that the tariff negotiations could be completed within the tight timeframe, citing Korea's importance as both a key ally and trading partner for the United States. He emphasized that the current negotiations are in their final stages and pledged to contribute to their successful conclusion once he takes office.

Beyond tariff issues, Cho's visit will likely address broader alliance modernization concerns, including defense cost-sharing arrangements and the role of US forces in Korea. The nominee's extensive experience in trade negotiations and his previous work on the Korea-US nuclear cooperation agreement make him well-positioned to handle these complex discussions.

The timing of this visit will be critical, as it will help set the tone for the broader US-Korea relationship under the new administration. Success in these early negotiations could pave the way for a productive summit meeting between the two presidents and establish a strong foundation for continued alliance cooperation in addressing regional security challenges.