U.S. not considering adding S. Korea to Quad: official
SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- The United States is not considering adding South Korea to the Washington-led Quad security forum seen by many as a partnership to counter an assertive China, a senior U.S. official reportedly said Sunday.
The official made the remarks while accompanying U.S. President Joe Biden on his three-day trip in Seoul, which will be followed by a visit to Tokyo for the summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) slated for Tuesday. The Quad consists of the U.S., Australia, India and Japan. Biden had summit talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday, during which they presented a shared vision for a "Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance" between the two sides.
"Not currently under consideration to add South Korea to Quad," the official was quoted by Reuters as saying.
His remarks indicated that at the moment, Washington is not looking for the expansion of the dialogue platform into the "Quad plus" to include additional members like South Korea.
Such a U.S. stance has already been stated in the lead-up to Biden's first Asia swing since his inauguration early last year.
"I think that we have to recognize that the Quad is still developing, and so we're looking for ways in which we can reinforce and strengthen what we've done so far," another U.S. official told reporters via teleconference Friday. "But at the same time, I think that we welcome any support for the Quad."
During his election campaign, Yoon has pledged to take part in the Quad's various working groups like those on climate change and technologies in order to gradually expand cooperation between South Korea and the Quad.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
Gov't to open 10 trails near DMZ for visitors next month
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
N. Korea dismantles S. Korean building near shuttered Kaesong complex
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
Trump suggests U.S. could withdraw its troops if S. Korea does not contribute more to support USFK: TIME
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
(Yonhap Interview) U.S. will do 'all' it can to back S. Korea in case of China's economic coercion: official
-
Indonesia proposes cutting payment for joint fighter jet project with S. Korea to one-third
-
(Yonhap Interview) U.S. will do 'all' it can to back S. Korea in case of China's economic coercion: official
-
S. Korea's working-age population to dip nearly 10 mln by 2044 amid low births
-
N.K. leader calls on public security officials to 'firmly defend' state unity
-
S. Korea to participate in U.S.-led cyber exercise this week