Trump Ahead Of 'Injun War'...Ambassador to the U.S. "Consultation to Strengthen Extended Deterrence"

[Anchor]
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has completed his second cabinet appointment, but controversy continues ahead of the Senate confirmation war.

Amid concerns in Korea due to the launch of the second Trump administration, Ambassador to the U.S. emphasized that they will closely consult to strengthen extended deterrence between South Korea and the U.S.

This is Washington correspondent Hong Sang-hee.

[Reporter]
The key selection of Trump's second cabinet was completed 17 days after the election was confirmed.

Compared to eight years ago, when the first cabinet appointment was announced in December, it is a quick decision.

He selected loyalists, Florida native, Fox News, and anti-China hardline diplomatic and security lines and customs officials for the economy, and hardliners for immigration and borders as keywords for generational change.

All are designed to be Trump's closest aides, but the problem is the Senate confirmation process that 15 ministers must go through.

The key is whether the nominee for defense secretary, Hegseth, who was suspected of sexual assault in the past, Kennedy Jr., who raised vaccine conspiracy theories, and Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence, who was sympathetic to Russia, will be able to cross the threshold of the confirmation hearing.

[Rep. Gregory Meeks / U.S. Congressman] There are some concerns. If you look at the appointments of people like Gabbard and Hegseth, they are people who are not qualified for their jobs or who have made statements.]

Amid concerns over security and economic impact in Korea due to the launch of the second Trump administration, Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong stressed that maintaining the best Korea-U.S. alliance will be a top priority.

The goal is to strengthen extended deterrence between South Korea and the U.S. in preparation for the possibility of North Korea's provocations during the North Korean military's dispatch to Russia and the replacement of the U.S. administration.

[Jo Hyun-dong / Ambassador to the U.S. : We will continue to consult closely with the U.S. side to ensure that both Korea and the U.S. can maintain and strengthen our combined defense posture in a security situation on the Korean Peninsula that has changed dramatically from the time of the first Trump administration.]

In particular, regarding the possibility of changes in economic and trade policies, such as the introduction of universal tariffs in the second Trump administration, the government plans to remind South Korea of its No. 1 investment in the U.S. and emphasize the importance of maintaining the investment environment.

[Cho Hyun-dong / Ambassador to the U.S. : I think the phone call between our leaders and President-elect Trump was a good first step in that we exchanged views on practical areas of cooperation, such as cooperation with Joseon, beyond a formal message of congratulations]

Ambassador Cho also said he will seek cooperation in strategic business areas as well as existing cooperation areas such as artificial intelligence and defense, minimizing challenges and maximizing opportunities.

Although concerns about uncertainty have been raised in Korea due to the launch of the second Trump administration, it is interpreted as a willingness to lead the Korea-U.S. alliance and cooperation by emphasizing the changed security environment and economic synergy.

I'm Hong Sang-hee from Washington.