[Anchor]
As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares for official diplomatic relations with China and Japan ahead of his inauguration in a month, he has not mentioned Korea.
There are analyses suggesting a low possibility of a bilateral meeting with Acting President Han Duck-soo, raising concerns about a potential “Korea passing” amid the political turmoil following the impeachment.
This is Hong Sang-hee reporting from Washington.
[Reporter]
In his first press conference since the election, which lasted 70 minutes, President-elect Trump mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping as he talked about solving all the world’s problems together.
He also hinted at the possibility of a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before his inauguration.
[Donald Trump/U.S. President-elect (local time, 16th): I would like to meet the Japanese Prime Minister. Yes, it’s possible. (Could it happen before the inauguration?) If Japan wants, it is possible. That’s what we’ll do.]
While he discussed the plans to end the Ukraine war and mentioned North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, there was no mention at all about the U.S. ally, Korea.
[Donald Trump/U.S. President-elect (local time, 16th): It was a bad thing, and I think they brought in the North Korean military to the Ukraine war. Chairman Kim Jong-un is someone I get along with, and I’m the only one.]
After the press conference, President-elect Trump nominated George Glass, a former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal known for his hardline stance on China, as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
Trump expressed trust in Glass, a long-time supporter, stating that he “will always prioritize America.”
Earlier, on the 5th, he nominated former Senator David Perdue as Ambassador to China, but there hasn’t even been a mention of a candidate for the U.S. Ambassador to Korea.
Analyses suggest that due to the leadership vacuum caused by the political situation, not only normal diplomatic relations with President-elect Trump but also relationships with key figures in his second administration have not been properly established.
There are particular concerns that Korean could be sidelined in interactions such as a potential North Korea-U.S. summit, especially as Trump continues to emphasize his friendship with Kim Jong-un.
With Trump’s inauguration just a month away and concerns about U.S. “Korea passing” growing, the Korean government is considering a visit by Acting President Han Duck-soo to the U.S.
[Reporter]
However, some predict that under the acting presidency system in Korea, it will be difficult to hold a bilateral meeting in Korea or the U.S. unless it is on the occasion of a multilateral conference.
This is Hong Sang-hee from Washington for YTN.
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