Choi Sang-mok said, "Early establishment of a consultative channel for the US government...Finding new cooperation"

Acting President Choi Sang-mok said he will establish a full-fledged consultation channel with the new U.S. government early on and explore new areas of cooperation, including shipbuilding.

At a meeting on major pending diplomatic and security issues held at the Seoul Government Complex today, Choi said, "We will continue to make diplomatic efforts to respond quickly to rapidly changing external environment such as the launch of a new U.S. government based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance."

He emphasized that he would discover new areas of cooperation, including shipbuilding, while thoroughly preparing for pending issues such as the imposition of new tariffs.

"The South Korean military should respond firmly to North Korea's provocations," Choi said. "In the event of a provocation, the people's lives and property should be protected first, and further provocations should be suppressed with an overwhelming response."

Acting President Choi said he would maintain a peaceful unification North Korea policy and work hard to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula so that tensions do not rise, and that he would cope with changes in the situation while maintaining an open position in inter-Korean dialogue.