Trump's 2nd Tsunami Beats Without 'Normal Diplomacy' Breakwater

■ Host: Anchor Jeong Jin-hyung and anchor Lee Eun-sol
■ Starring: YTN commentator Lee Jong-soo

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN New Square 8PM] when quoting.


[Anchor]
With less than a month left before the launch of Trump's second term, major countries such as Japan and China are eager to operate close consultation channels. However, Korea is only slow to respond to the impeachment. As a result, concerns have grown that the second Trump administration will be directly hit in all directions, including direct transactions with North Korea and an increase in defense contributions.An acting president's visit to the U.S. is also being considered, but it is unclear whether it will be able to fill the void in summit diplomacy. Let's talk in detail with commentator Lee Jong-soo today. Please come in. As the second Trump administration begins to count down, major countries' diplomatic wars are in full swing. President Trump also showed interest in mentioning Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba and Chairman Kim Jong-un, but Korea seems to be missing.

[Reporter]
That's right. This is a part that makes us realize the painful reality caused by the impeachment of the president. In his first press conference since winning the presidential election, Trump left open the possibility of meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before taking office. Let's hear the related remarks firsthand.

[Donald Trump / President-elect (16th local time): I want to be able to meet the Japanese prime minister. You're probably right. I even sent a book to the prime minister. (Can it be done before the inauguration?) It is possible if Japan wants it. That's what I'm going to do.]

[Reporter]
Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, he showed off his friendship again following the presidential election process, saying, "I'm a good person." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also showed off his friendship following the presidential election process by saying that he is a person I know well and I have been good with. In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited to the inauguration ceremony and is now appearing in the graphic, but I don't know if he will attend, but I would welcome him if he came. That's what I said. However, at the press conference, which lasted about an hour, there was no mention of Korea or its leaders.

[Anchor]
So there are concerns, but if you look at the Japanese government first. Following Prime Minister Abe in the first Trump term, he is also rapidly operating summit diplomacy with President-elect Trump in the second term.

[Reporter]
That's right. It seems to be a result of the Japanese government's all-round diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Ishiba pushed to meet before Trump's inauguration. President-elect Trump said, "Let's meet after taking office," but this changed his position. The reason for this is that the pre-stop effort was effective. Aren't Akie, the wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe, who was very close to President-elect Trump, and Trump's wife and his wife home in Mara, Florida? We invited them to dinner. And Son Jeong-ui, chairman of Small Part Bank Group, also promised to invest in the U.S., which is worth 100 billion dollars and 143.6 trillion won in Korean money, and 100,000 employees promised.

[Anchor]
In fact, in the case of President-elect Trump, hasn't he continued to make some hardline stance toward the public? But he said he would invite President Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Is there any Chinese position on this?

[Reporter]
China will maintain dialogue with the United States. On the other hand, Trump must make the right choice. We are also responding with this kind of warning message. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a keynote speech at a symposium in Beijing yesterday, saying Beijing is willing to maintain dialogue with the United States while managing and controlling differences and seeking ways for the two countries to coexist. That's what I said. At the same time, as China shines confidence in its role as a world leader, hasn't the U.S. and the West continued to exclude it from the global supply chain now? In this regard, we will protect the global free trade system, industry, and supply chain stability. I raised my voice like this. So in China, Trump will do a 60% tariff bomb. On the other hand, President Xi Jinping is a good friend. Also, it is scheduled for January next year, but we are taking appeasement measures by raising the theory of relief for TikTok, which is prohibited. While responding to this, on the other hand, what should I say, a war of nerves? It's showing that kind of look.

[Anchor]
The neighboring countries are moving fast, but aren't we missing the golden time for diplomacy? There are also concerns about this. It is said that Trump, the special envoy for North Korea, has nominated former German Ambassador Richard Gridl. What kind of person is it and what is your background?

[Reporter] Special Mission Ambassador Grinnell, who will be in charge of North Korea, is a tough presser of the alliance. Now known as a super-hard America first. So, during the first Trump administration, he served as acting director of the National Intelligence Service and ambassador to Germany, which can be seen as Trump's closest diplomatic envoy. During his time as German ambassador, he led the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany to increase Germany's contribution to defense costs. At that time, the Trump administration announced that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea was considered. He is also the one who caused a stir by disclosing it. The nomination of such a hard-line ambassador, Grinnell, as the North Korean ambassador is Trump's priority on the North Korean issue. And he once again expressed his willingness to talk with North Korea. This interpretation is coming out. Ambassador Grinnell's nomination is raising such concerns about passing Korea in direct conversations. And Trump has now nominated George Glass, a former Portuguese ambassador to Japan. Prior to this, a federal senator named David Perdue as the ambassador to China, who is also a public hardliner, was nominated, but now even a candidate for the US ambassador to Korea is not mentioned. That's the situation.

[Anchor]
Korea should respond quickly, but I feel frustrated because of the impeachment situation. So, is there a way for the Korean government to respond?

[Reporter]
The government is considering acting Han Deok-soo's visit to the U.S. early next year. However, under the acting president system, can bilateral talks, namely Trump-Han Deok-soo talks, be held in the U.S. or Korea? There are observations that it will be difficult. In fact, even in the impeachment phase eight years ago. At that time, Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn only spoke with President Trump, who had just taken office. I couldn't meet him. So, the void of summit diplomacy is causing a major obstacle to diplomacy with the United States, and there are predictions that it will continue to do so. Let's hear from the U.S. officials first.

[Andrew Yeo / Brookings Institution: South Korea wants to engage with the Trump administration as soon as possible on security issues related to economic security and deterrence against North Korea, but the current political crisis has made it much more difficult.]

[Reporter]
So, in January next year, the second Trump administration will be launched, and then there will be direct talks or trade tariffs that we're talking about now. And it is expected to increase the contribution of defense costs, but due to the domestic political situation of impeachment, it is difficult to take a preemptive response quickly.

[Anchor]
Let's stop here. So far, we've talked with commentator Lee Jong-soo. Thank you.