2 weeks before Trump's inauguration...Minister Ahn Deok-geun's visit to the U.S. amid concerns over Seoul passing

[Anchor]
The launch of the second Trump administration is two weeks away.

Amid a diplomatic vacuum at the summit due to the impeachment following martial law, Minister of Industry Ahn Deok-geun will go to the United States first.

Lee Seung-eun reports.

[Reporter]
Concerns over South Korea's alienation from the Trump administration are growing, with only mentioning South Korea missing from Trump's press conference.

It contrasts with the Biden administration's emphasis on the South Korea-U.S. alliance one after another.

[John Kirby / National Security and Communications Adviser] We note that Acting President Choi Sang-mok focuses on stabilizing state affairs. We will keep communication channels open at all levels with the Korean government.]

Victor Cha, the South Korean chair of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies, predicts that Trump, who has taken control of Congress unlike the first term in office, will pour out numerous policies within 100 hours, not 100 days after taking office.

In the midst of this, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Deok-geun will visit the United States for five days.

This is our highest-ranking official's visit to the United States after the emergency martial law.

Visit Georgia, where many Korean companies have entered, including automobiles, batteries, and semiconductors, and meet political figures in Washington, D.C.

Along with the late former President Carter's condolence activities, I plan to meet with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, especially who chairs the Republican Governors' Association, to ask for support for our businesses.

[Ahn Deok-geun/Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (Visit Incheon New Port on the 2nd): With uncertainties in external trade conditions such as the launch of the Trump administration, the government will provide all-out support for exports to serve as a driving force for our economy this year as well.]

Acting President Choi Sang-mok will also hold a meeting on foreign economic issues with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and discuss detailed action plans based on trade countermeasures presented in the economic policy direction.

In the diplomatic vacuum of the summit, the government plans to establish a cooperative channel with the Trump administration, a former businessman, by mobilizing all of its business connections.

I'm YTN's Lee Seung Eun.


Video editing: Jung Kook-yoon