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| ▲ Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (Yonhap) |
presidential office-N Korea
Presidential office closely monitoring N. Korean leader's visit to China
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office said Tuesday it is closely monitoring a rare visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Beijing, as Kim is set to join Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping at a military parade.
Asked about Kim's trip to Beijing to attend the military parade Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said President Lee Jae Myung is "likely receiving much closer and detailed information."
She declined to say whether the National Security Council had convened, citing confidentiality.
On media reports that Seoul has agreed with Washington to gradually raise its annual defense spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Kang said no details have been confirmed and the negotiations are "still under way."
South Korea's defense budget this year is about 61.2 trillion won (US$44.2 billion), or 2.32 percent of GDP, according to the defense ministry.
"All negotiations on tariffs, security and other issues in the second Trump administration will inevitably proceed in a different manner from the past, and they will always remain in progress," Kang said.
She added that the defense spending hike is expected to be discussed as part of a broader "package deal" covering trade, economic and security issues.
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