Cho Hyun Appointed as Foreign Minister Candidate, Emphasizes Peaceful North Korea-U.S. Dialogue

On June 24, Cho Hyun, the nominee for South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the media as he arrived at his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for his confirmation hearing. He stated, "I believe that establishing effective dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. is one of the top priorities of the foreign policy and unification strategy of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

In response to questions about the Foreign Ministry's role in facilitating North Korea-U.S. talks, Cho emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the United States and allied nations to ensure there are no obstacles in these efforts.

When asked about the Foreign Ministry's role in fostering inter-Korean dialogue, he remarked, "Pursuing peace and prosperity is the essence of diplomacy. However, the situation is quite challenging, and the North Korean issue requires careful consideration and collaboration among various government departments to find common ground."

Regarding his plans to visit the U.S. after taking office, Cho suggested that the notion of immediately traveling to the U.S. should be reconsidered, although he acknowledged that it might happen naturally.

On relations with Japan, he expressed the need to seek development beyond existing frameworks while addressing issues through quiet diplomacy.

Cho conveyed a strong sense of responsibility, stating, "Given the current instability in international affairs, I feel a heavy burden as I take on this role. I will work diligently with all staff to navigate these complex international dynamics effectively."

When discussing urgent tasks to address after his appointment, he likened the situation to the film 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' indicating that prioritizing issues at this moment is quite challenging.