FM says S. Korea has 'no doubts' about US security commitment

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has affirmed that South Korea has "no doubts" about the United States' unwavering security commitment under President Donald Trump, citing strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress.

Speaking at a panel session during the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday, Cho addressed concerns about whether Trump's foreign policy approach could impact Washington's security commitments to Seoul.

"President Trump has been dealing with the foreign relations from a transactional point of view, but there is a strong bipartisan support in Washington about the ironclad Korea-U.S. alliance and the importance of the Korea-U.S.alliance not only in dealing with the regional but also the global security issues," Cho said in English.

"We have no doubts about the U.S. commitment to the ironclad and robust alliance," he added.

Cho acknowledged that Washington is likely to demand that Seoul take on a greater role in dealing with regional security challenges, particularly in response to increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

In response to growing calls for South Korea's nuclear armament, Cho said it remains premature to discuss "Plan B," which would have broader security implications beyond the Korean Peninsula.

"I think it is somewhat premature to talk about the Plan B," Cho said, though it is not "on the table for now, but that does not mean it will be off the table."

He stressed that South Korea must be prepared for all possible security scenarios and will closely coordinate with Washington in any case.

Although South Korea faces the challenge of balancing its relationships with the U.S., an "irreplaceable ally," and China, its "single largest trading partner," the top diplomat put more emphasis on a strong alliance with Washington.

"It is only natural that maintaining harmony in both relationships best serves South Korea's national interests," Cho said. "However, one thing is clear. An alliance is an alliance, and a partnership is a partnership. There should be no absolute equivalence between the two." (Yonhap)