First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun (right) and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Oct. 16 exchange a handshake at their bilateral talks held at Government Complex-Seoul in the capital's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Gil Kyuyoung

Diplomatic and security schedules with the U.S. will be fully resumed after a delay due to the martial law incident.

First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun on Dec. 23 made this agreement in bilateral talks in Washington with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The two diplomats also discussed the bilateral alliance, trilateral cooperation with Japan and issues surrounding North Korea.

"The governance under Acting President Han Duck-soo is operating stably," the vice minister said. "I look forward to a discussion with the deputy secretary on how to continue strengthening the ROK (Republic of Korea)-U.S. alliance and broad U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation, building upon the achievements we have made so far."

"I do want to just underscore here clearly our strong confidence in the ROK and our deep belief in the democracy and the constitutional provisions in the country," the American official added. "Our expectation is that the critical mechanisms in the U.S.-ROK relationship will remain in place."

Both sides also agreed to firmly maintain their joint defensive posture in case of any provocation from North Korea and bolster diplomatic efforts to resist the illegal military cooperation between the North and Russia. 

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr