[Anchor]
The top diplomats of South Korea and the U.S. have reaffirmed the two countries' continued close coordination on North Korea.
During bilateral talks in Palo Alto, California on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also discussed ways to further develop their alliance.
Our Christine Min has more.
[Reporter]
The top diplomats of Seoul and Washington praised the enduring strength of the two countries' alliance and promised continued close coordination on North Korea.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, the two sides shared their assessment of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula as well as ways to resume nuclear talks with Pyongyang.
After the bilateral talks, Kang told reporters that she and Pompeo also exchanged opinions on President Moon Jae-in's renewed push to resume inter-Korean projects.
She said it is important for the South and North to carry out dialogue and maintain the momentum for North Korea's engagement, pointing out that inter-Korean relations cannot always move accordingly to the same pace as U.S.-North Korea relations.
Pompeo said earlier that he remained hopeful Pyongyang will keep its denuclearization commitment made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Pompeo is known to have also called for collective efforts to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, seeking increased commitments from Seoul.
A South Korean official told reporters in Palo Alto that Kang assured Pompeo that Seoul is looking into ways to contribute to maritime security operations in the region.
Christine Min, eFM News.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
