S. Korean minister upbeat on Seoul-Washington ties

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign minister expressed hope Monday
for closer ties between Seoul and Washington under the incoming U.S.
administration whose diplomatic team is likely to consist of officials well
versed in Korean affairs.
Yu Myung-hwan said that President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy line is
taking shape with his inauguration a week away.
"As many figures with a high understanding of the Korean Peninsula will likely be
hired, I think cooperation and policy coordination between South Korea and the
U.S. will grow closer," the minister said in his monthly press briefing.
The government will seek in-depth ways to deepen the strategic alliance with
Washington under the new leadership, he added.
Yu said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency last week that working-level
consultations between the allies, especially on North Korea, will become more
important now that Senator Hillary Clinton, nominated to be secretary of state,
is expected to focus on broader issues.
Her policy vision on Korea may become more pronounced at her congressional
confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Radio Free Asia, a Washington-based radio station, reported that former U.S.
ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow is likely to be named assistant secretary
of defense for international security affairs.
Multiple sources said earlier that Kurt Campbell, former U.S. deputy assistant
secretary of defense, has been named to replace Christopher Hill as the assistant
secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Hill's next position
remains unknown.
Wendy Sherman, who served as former U.S. President Bill Clinton's North Korea
policy coordinator, will likely be appointed as Obama's special envoy on North
Korean affairs, the sources added.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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