South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong said on Feb. 26 that Seoul and Washington have agreed to use the term “denuclearization of North Korea” instead of “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” when addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile program. While the latter term is broader and could encompass South Korea’s potential nuclear capabilities or the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in the region, the former places a stronger emphasis on dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.
Unlike the Biden administration, which used both terms interchangeably, the Trump administration consistently employed “denuclearization of North Korea” in official documents. The phrase “complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID)” remains one of the most sensitive for Pyongyang.
Speaking at a press briefing with correspondents at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., Cho stated, “Previous U.S. administrations have used the terms interchangeably, but through discussions with the U.S. side, the Trump administration’s second term has decided to maintain consistency in using ‘denuclearization of North Korea.’” Following Trump’s inauguration, South Korean diplomatic authorities reportedly engaged with the White House National Security Council (NSC) and the State Department to convey this stance. Just ten days after Trump took office, the White House issued a statement on Jan. 29, attributed to the NSC spokesperson, reaffirming that “the complete denuclearization of North Korea remains the Trump administration’s goal.” On Feb. 7, a joint statement from the U.S.-Japan summit also underscored the importance of denuclearization efforts concerning North Korea and trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
Cho noted that while the Trump administration is currently focused on urgent issues such as the Middle East and Ukraine, its North Korea policy and alliance security cooperation will take clearer shape in the coming months. “As the government continues close communication with the U.S. at all levels, we aim to strengthen extended deterrence (nuclear umbrella), enhance the combined defense posture, and build on the achievements made so far,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun is set to visit the U.S. from Feb. 26 to 28, marking the first ministerial-level visit since Trump took office. He is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. Additionally, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kevin Kim visited Seoul this week for introductory meetings with his South Korean counterparts. The U.S. State Department is reportedly considering reducing the number of deputy assistant secretaries (DAS), which could result in Kim overseeing not only South Korea but also Japan- and China-related affairs. A diplomatic source also indicated that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is considering a visit to South Korea, though discussions are ongoing to coordinate an appropriate counterpart for talks.
Regarding Trump’s proposed tariffs, Cho stated, “We have been making various efforts to minimize the negative impact of uncertainty while maximizing new opportunities.” He highlighted potential areas of U.S.-South Korea cooperation, including shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Cho recently met with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, noting that Dunleavy, along with Senator Dan Sullivan, has been actively promoting LNG sales to South Korea. Trump also discussed shipbuilding cooperation during a call with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol last year. Next month, senior executives from HD Hyundai are expected to visit Washington, D.C., to explore related business opportunities. Cho added that the U.S. National Economic Council (NEC) recently established a division focused on maritime strategy policy, and earlier this month, a bill was introduced to permit allied shipyards to construct naval and Coast Guard vessels under exceptional circumstances. “A favorable environment is forming,” he said. However, industry experts stress that for South Korean shipbuilders to secure profitability, cooperation should extend beyond maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) to high-value sectors such as military vessel construction.
