Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 3 Issue 10

May 22, 2015

The Korea Chair team takes a biweekly look back at events of interest in Washington, Seoul, and the region from May 7 - May 20, 2015.

U.S.-ROK RELATIONS | U.S. Secretary of State Visits Seoul
Secretary of State John Kerry visited Seoul from May 17 to 18. On May 18, he met with President Park Geun-hye and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se to discuss the U.S.-ROK alliance, global and regional issues, as well as President Park’s upcoming visit to the United States in June. During his meeting with Minister Yun, he reaffirmed that there is “no daylight of difference” in U.S. and ROK policies toward North Korea’s provocations and nuclear program. He also reiterated that, while the U.S. offer of an improved bilateral relationship with North Korea stands, Pyongyang has so far failed to meet the necessary standards.

GLOBAL RELATIONS | UN Secretary-General Visits Korea
On May 18, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Korea on a five-day trip, his first visit in nearly two years. The primary purpose was to take part in the World Education Forum that was held in Songdo, Incheon, on May 20. On the same day, Ban held a meeting with President Park. He was also scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and National Assembly Speaker Chung Eui-hwa.