Wi, the national security office director, made the comments April 23 (local time) at a press center in Hanoi while meeting with the traveling press corps covering President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to India and Vietnam. Asked about the U.S. reaction to Jeong’s remarks, Wi said it could take time but the two sides should “sort out the current situation through communication.”
Jeong said at a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting on March 6 that North Korea is advancing its nuclear program and pointed to three locations — Yongbyon, Kangson and Kusong — as areas where uranium enrichment facilities are operating. The government and the International Atomic Energy Agency have officially confirmed Yongbyon in North Pyongan province and Kangson in Nampo, but Jeong also mentioned Kusong in North Pyongan.
It has been reported that the United States viewed Jeong’s remarks as based on U.S.-provided intelligence and, in protest, partially suspended sharing satellite intelligence on North Korea.
Lee defended Jeong in a post on X on April 20, calling the information “already widely known facts.” The main opposition People Power Party has said it will submit a motion recommending Jeong’s dismissal unless he is removed.
Wi said Jeong has communicated directly with the United States and that he has also been in ongoing contact. He warned that if the issue becomes an excessive domestic controversy and political flashpoint, it could create obstacles to quickly stabilizing the situation and returning to the previous state.
Wi described the dispute as a difference in perception. “The United States thinks he spoke using information they provided, and Minister Jeong says he obtained it from other open sources,” Wi said. He added that excessive controversy would not help and that it was important to consult, adjust and find a way forward.
Still, Wi said coordination is necessary. “Some compare an alliance to a garden,” he said. “An alliance is a very close relationship, but it must be carefully coordinated and managed.” He again stressed that managing the U.S.-South Korea alliance requires avoiding turning issues into political disputes.
Wi said Lee’s social media message was meant to reject arguments and debate based on the premise that Jeong “leaked information received from the United States.”
Asked about limits on intelligence exchanges between the two countries after Jeong’s remarks, Wi said it was difficult to confirm or deny.
Wi also suggested media coverage contributed to the issue escalating. He said the matter “became a big issue” after recent reporting, which drew political attention and prompted further statements, complicating the situation.
Jeong, speaking to reporters after visiting Park In-jun, head of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace, at Cheondogyo’s Suun Hall in Seoul’s Jongno district, criticized what he called the “intent” of those who “caused the problem.” He called it political maneuvering that harms the national interest.
On the reported U.S. step to limit intelligence sharing on North Korea, Jeong said similar things had happened intermittently in the past without becoming public. “That’s the national interest — why stir up conflict?” he said. He did not identify who he meant by “those who caused the problem.”
Wi also addressed a letter from 54 Republican U.S. lawmakers to Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha in Washington urging the South Korean government to stop what they called “discriminatory measures” against U.S. companies such as Coupang. Wi said it is true the Coupang issue is affecting security consultations between South Korea and the United States.
He said the government has told the United States it will proceed on the Coupang matter “according to legal procedures” while advancing security negotiations separately. He added that security talks should resume quickly because the dispute does not help the alliance.
Wi dismissed comments by the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and the Combined Forces Command about transferring wartime operational control by before the first quarter of 2029, calling them the commander’s personal view.
Gen. Xavier Brunson told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on April 22 (local time) that, in response to a question, “We submitted to the Department of Defense a roadmap to achieve those conditions before the second quarter of fiscal year 2029 (first quarter of 2029 by Korean standards)."
On the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control, Wi said military considerations cannot be ignored but the transfer is ultimately a political decision. He said the leaders of both governments will decide and that South Korea will make its best efforts to complete the transfer as soon as possible without damaging the bilateral coordination framework.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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