▲ This photo released by the presidential office on May 23, 2024, shows President Yoon Suk Yeol (R) holding a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Yoon-former US secretary

Yoon meets ex-U.S. Secretary Pompeo, discusses Korean Peninsula issues

SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol met with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Seoul-Washington alliance, the presidential office said Thursday.

During the meeting held in Seoul with Pompeo, who served as the top U.S. diplomat under then President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2021, Yoon asked him to continue to pay close attention to South Korea's efforts to seek peace on the Korean Peninsula backed by the strong alliance.

Yoon also expressed his willingness to enhance cooperation with the United States on North Korea and to pursue closer trilateral cooperation involving Japan.

In response, Pompeo was quoted by the presidential office as saying that the alliance between Seoul and Washington has become stronger under the leadership of Yoon, whose administration shares common values with the U.S.

Pompeo added that he hopes the alliance will keep developing regardless of the political situation in the U.S. and wishes for closer bilateral cooperation, as well as strengthened trilateral ties, regarding North Korean issues.

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