At a parliamentary audit held Oct. 12 local time at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., Kang was asked by independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon whether "the U.S. side mentioned that 'there is damage to trust in the South Korea-U.S. intelligence line' at the South Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting held in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 18." She replied, "There were remarks that there are problems with intelligence cooperation." Kang attended the meeting between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the time. However, asked whether "the U.S. side also raised issues regarding NIS Director Lee Jong-suk and Unification Minister Chung Dong-young," Kang said, "There was no mention of specific individuals."
Han claimed that day, "From what I have learned, Secretary Rubio told Minister Cho, 'Trust in South Korea's current intelligence line has been damaged and this must be normalized — please convey this message to President Lee Jae-myung.'" He also stressed that "the U.S. asked that information from the U.S. no longer be leaked."
In response, Kang said, "Minister Cho told Secretary Rubio he would work toward a resolution in consultation with relevant ministries after returning home, and I recall the U.S. side also gave credit for the considerable progress already made by that point." Kang added, however, "I don't think the problems related to intelligence cooperation have been sufficiently resolved to the extent the U.S. expects."
Han also asked whether "the U.S. side pointed out that a South Korean company is reluctant to do business or cooperate with the U.S. in defense industry cooperation because of the possibility of Chinese end-user sanctions." Kang said, "A certain company is experiencing difficulties, and we are talking with U.S. authorities to resolve them." The exchange suggests the U.S. mentioned that South Korean companies face obstacles in defense cooperation with the U.S. due to the possibility of Chinese sanctions, and that the embassy is working to resolve the issue.
Han asked, "How many cases of delayed visa issuance for NIS 'white' agents — NIS officials operating overseas under diplomatic titles — have there been since you took office?" Kang answered, "Two or three."
Kang said that day, "I will acknowledge there are limits to communication with the White House," adding, "I meet frequently with the White House National Security Council and key figures, but high-level consultations are not taking place as much as I would like, to a degree that is frustrating even for me."
On the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone that wounded three South Korean soldiers, Kang said, "It was clearly not an accident." Responding to Han's repeated questions about North Korea's intent in the incident, she said, "The Joint Chiefs of Staff have confirmed it clearly was not a displaced mine, and it is clear North Korea planted it. Doesn't every act have an intent?" Han said, "It was clearly not an accident, yet President Lee and our government officials are absolutely sticking to the expression 'accident,'" adding, "I agree with the ambassador's assessment."
Kim Gunn said, "Because the Trump administration decides policy through a small circle of close aides, there needs to be a 'champion' among them who advocates for the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but the biggest problem is that we have failed to create one." He also noted, "Because the State Department has been weakened in the policy decision process, what matters is the Defense Department — the Department of War," adding, "Support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance within the Defense Department has also weakened."
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gunn asked, "Minister Chung Dong-young said at a press briefing that he asked you to explain to the U.S. the circumstances of his remarks on the Kusong nuclear facility in North Korea." Kang replied, "Minister Chung did call me, and I conveyed it to the counterpart through the usual consultation channels."
