Trump’s Improper Language to Allies

Published in Kyunghyang Shinmun
(South Korea) on 11 October 2018
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Kang An. Edited by Nkem Okafor.
“They do nothing without our approval,” said U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 10, in response to a statement made by South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha implying that South Korea is planning to lift its May 24 sanctions on North Korea. As denuclearization is still in progress, it is understandable that he was opposed to such statements suggesting mitigation of sanctions. Nevertheless, it was not appropriate for the president to use the word "approval." "Approval" in certain contexts may have a negative connotation implying "royal assent," and is discourteous to use against a government policy put forth by another sovereign country.

The May 24 measures are independent sanctions by South Korea against North Korea in response to the ROKS Cheonan sinking, an attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors. As this matter was irrelevant to North Korea's nuclear issue, the United States has no say in this policy. And even if the May 24 measures were to be lifted, the effect would not be immediate as the corporations affected would remain sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council. Although President Trump is known for his questionable language, we can't ignore the fact that his statement downplays an ally. He will have to explain the meaning behind his statement.

The cause of this unfortunate event was Foreign Minister Kang's controversial remark at the parliamentary audit on Wednesday. In response to questions about lifting May 24 measures that are blocking South Korean tourism to North Korea's Kumgangsan, Foreign Minister Kang replied that the government is "reviewing with relevant agencies." This response was a mistake on her part, being unaware that the May 24 measures were irrelevant to Kumgangsan tourism. When asked whether "[Mike] Pompeo had complained about the agreement during a phone call" after the Inter-Korean summit, she replied, “Yes, that’s correct. [It was] discontent, about how he was not briefed sufficiently, and he had a lot of questions within my knowledge.”

Her remarks can be misinterpreted to give the impression that a confirmation of discord exists between the U.S. and South Korea. It would have been better to say that "a few calls were made to exchange opinions." She also seems oblivious to the fact that the call happened prior to the inter-Korean summit. All of these events pose a question about Kang's political judgment and ability to grasp her work. As statements about inter-Korean relations and diplomatic issues can be easily misinterpreted, extra caution should be taken in making such statements.

North Korea, China and Russia have opened three-way talks to mitigate sanctions against North Korea. North and South Korea also need to partially ease sanctions to resume economic cooperation. As the U.S. is seeking to delay mitigating sanctions to put more pressure on North Korea, the discord between countries will become greater with time. It is therefore crucial for the U.S. and South Korea to have deeper conferences while maintaining mutual respect for each other. Losing diplomatic decency does nothing for denuclearization. President Trump should refrain from making comments that interfere with other countries' policies, and government officials should pay special attention to their words and actions.


도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령이 10일(현지시간) 강경화 외교부 장관의 ‘5·24조치 해제 검토’ 발언에 대해 “그들은 우리의 승인 없이는 그렇게 하지 않을 것”이라고 답했다. 비핵화 담판이 진행 중인 상황에서 제재 완화 기류를 견제하고 싶었을 것이다. 그럼에도 트럼프 대통령이 ‘승인(approval)’이라는 단어까지 동원한 것은 지나치다. ‘approval’은 승인 또는 허락, 일상적으로는 재가라는 뉘앙스가 포함돼 있어 주권국 정부의 정책에 대해 쓰는 것은 외교적 결례다.

5·24조치는 천안함 사건에 대한 한국 정부의 독자적 조치다. 북핵 문제와 무관한 만큼 미국이 간여할 사안이 아니다. 5·24조치를 해제한다고 해도 해당 사업들이 대부분 유엔 안보리의 제재대상인 만큼 당장 실행할 수도 없다. 트럼프 대통령이 평소 거침없는 화법을 구사한다는 점을 감안해도 동맹국을 경시한 발언임에는 틀림없다. 트럼프 대통령은 발언의 취지에 대해 해명해야 할 것이다.

이번 불상사는 강경화 장관의 미숙한 국회 답변이 원인을 제공했다. 10일 국회 국정감사에서 ‘금강산관광은 5·24조치 때문에 못 가는 것 아니냐. 5·24조치를 해제할 용의가 있느냐’는 질의에 강 장관이 “관계부처와 검토 중”이라고 답한 것이다. 5·24조치는 금강산관광과 무관하다는 사실을 숙지하지 못한 답변이다. 강 장관은 또 ‘남북정상회담 후 폼페이오 장관이 강 장관과의 통화에서 남북군사합의에 강한 불만을 표시했느냐’는 질의에도 “맞다. 충분한 브리핑을 못 받은 상황에서 여러 질문이 있었다”고 했다. 마치 한·미 간에 큰 이견이 존재하는 듯한 인상을 준다. 답변도 ‘몇 차례 통화해 의견교환을 했다’고 하는 게 사실에 부합한다. 문제의 통화가 남북정상회담 전에 이뤄졌다는 사실도 강 장관은 알지 못한 듯하다. 이 모두 강 장관의 정무적 판단과 업무파악 능력에 의문을 갖게 하는 장면이다. 남북관계·외교 현안은 답변의 뉘앙스에 따라 오해를 부르고 파장을 키울 수 있는 만큼 신중을 거듭해야 한다.

북한과 중국, 러시아가 3자회담을 열어 대북 제재 완화를 요구하고 나선 상황이다. 남북도 경협 재개를 위해 부분적인 제재 완화가 필요한 상황이다. 제재 해제를 뒤로 미루며 북한을 압박하려는 미국과의 불협화음이 일 개연성이 갈수록 커질 것이다. 그럴수록 한·미 간에 더 밀도 있는 협의를 하되 상호존중하는 태도가 필요하다. 외교적 품위를 잃는 행동은 비핵화에도 도움이 안된다. 트럼프 대통령은 내정간섭성 발언을 삼가고, 정부 당국자들은 언행에 각별히 주의해야 한다.
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

Hot this week

Ireland: Irish Examiner View: Would We Miss Donald Trump and Would a Successor Be Worse?

Mexico: Trump and His Personal Style

Canada: Minnesota School Shooting Is Just More Proof That America Is Crazed

Topics

Ireland: We Must Stand Up to Trump on Climate. The Alternative Is Too Bleak To Contemplate

Canada: Carney Takes Us Backward with Americans on Trade

Thailand: Appeasing China Won’t Help Counter Trump

Poland: Ukraine Is Still Far from Peace. What Was Actually Decided at the White House?

Ireland: Irish Examiner View: Would We Miss Donald Trump and Would a Successor Be Worse?

Canada: Minnesota School Shooting Is Just More Proof That America Is Crazed

Related Articles

Ireland: We Must Stand Up to Trump on Climate. The Alternative Is Too Bleak To Contemplate

Canada: Carney Takes Us Backward with Americans on Trade

Thailand: Appeasing China Won’t Help Counter Trump

Poland: Ukraine Is Still Far from Peace. What Was Actually Decided at the White House?