Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S. discuss N. Korea, Middle East tensions

한미 외교장관 회담...北•호르무즈 등 논의 The top diplomats of South Korea and the U.S. have been discussing North Korea as they try to revive dialogue momentum in the stalled denuclearization talks. Our Kim Min-ji starts us off. South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed their close coordination on North Korea. The top diplomats met in California on Tuesday to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula... alliance issues... and other regional and international matters. Speaking to reporters following the meeting... Kang said... talks between North Korea and the U.S.,... and between the two Koreas should complement each other but added that they can't always move at the same pace. She pointed out that Seoul and Pyeongyang must continue dialogue... to keep alive the momentum for North Korea's engagement... amid the nuclear standoff between the North and Washington. That said, Kang and Pompeo shared views on initiatives which the two Koreas can work on without violating UN sanctions... to which the U.S. showed understanding for South Korea's determination. The talks were the first between the two diplomats in nine months... and come after North Korea warned of taking "shocking actual action" and threatened to showcase "a new strategic weapon." On rising tensions in the Middle East,... Kang and Pompeo vowed close cooperation. As for a U.S.-led initiative to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz near Iran,... Kang said that Washington holds the position that countries that have a large economic stake in the region must contribute to such efforts. Noting that South Korea relies on the strait for oil-related trade... Kang added that Seoul is interested in the matter and will be considering ways to contribute from "multiple angles" but that a decision will be made based on the safety of the Korean people and companies in area,... as well as its ties with Iran. The talks were followed by a trilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The diplomats agreed that three-way cooperation is essential to ensure regional peace and security... and reaffirmed the importance of coordination for achieving North Korea's denuclearization. Kang and Motegi also held a one-on-one on the sidelines... to discuss efforts to solve their bilateral dispute over trade and historical issues... vowing to continue dialogue through diplomatic channels. Kim Min-ji, Arirang News. #diplomat #discuss #NorthKorea Arirang News Facebook:   / arirangtvnews