1. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Kim Gunn paid his first visit to the United States (U.S.) since taking office and had a bilateral meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell on January 3.

2. The Deputy Minister and the Assistant Secretary engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on overall matters of mutual interest, including pending issues involving the Republic of Korea-U.S. relations and alliance as well as the relevant developments in the region.

° The two sides also agreed to expand and strengthen the base of the ROK-U.S. cooperation in various areas, including cooperation between the ROK’s New Southern Policy and the U.S.’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.

3. The two sides agreed to continue to meet frequently on various occasions in an effort to develop the ROK-U.S. relations in a mutually beneficial way and reinforce the ROK-U.S. alliance.