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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, visiting the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, holds a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at a New York hotel on the 22nd (local time). / Joint Press Pool

[Article Summary]

1. The Trump administration stated that South Korea is expected to adhere to decades-old alliance standards in intelligence and counterintelligence.

2. The United States has partially restricted North Korea intelligence sharing with Seoul following remarks by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young regarding a suspected nuclear site.

3. The South Korean JCS Chairman stated that while sharing of key North Korean nuclear intelligence is partially restricted, there are no issues with military readiness.

4. The National Intelligence Service was excluded from a trilateral cyber meeting among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, which it described as a resolved misunderstanding.

The Trump administration stated on the 9th that South Korea is expected to uphold decades-old standards of the bilateral alliance in intelligence and counterintelligence. Amid partial restrictions imposed by Washington on North Korea-related intelligence sharing with Seoul, the United States emphasized the compliance standards governing allied intelligence cooperation.

The U.S. administration expects South Korea to adhere to decades-old alliance standards in intelligence and counterintelligence

In response to a written inquiry from South Korean media regarding bilateral intelligence cooperation, a senior Trump administration official stated that Washington expects South Korea to uphold the decades-old standards of the alliance, particularly in intelligence and counterintelligence matters. However, the official did not elaborate on the specific standards in question, nor did they clarify whether Washington has concluded that South Korea violated them.

The United States restricted intelligence sharing on North Korea following remarks by Minister Chung Dong-young regarding a nuclear facility.

The United States has restricted intelligence sharing regarding North Korea with South Korea for over six months, following remarks made in March by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young publicly mentioning a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, North Pyongan Province. The Kusong facility is understood to be a suspected North Korean nuclear site identified through U.S. intelligence assets. Washington reportedly initiated the restrictions in expression of displeasure over the public disclosure of sensitive intelligence.

JCS Chairman Jin Young-seung noted that some North Korean nuclear intelligence is restricted but stressed that resolving the issue swiftly is the best outcome.

During a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly on the 8th, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jin Young-seung addressed questions regarding whether core U.S. intelligence on North Korea's nuclear program is being shared, stating that while some information is restricted, there are no issues affecting the military readiness posture. Chairman Jin noted, however, that resolving the situation as quickly as possible remains the best course of action, indicating the need for an early resolution to the restrictions.

The National Intelligence Service was excluded from a trilateral cyber working group meeting and noted that the misunderstanding has passed.

It was also recently disclosed that South Korea's National Intelligence Service was excluded from a trilateral working group meeting on countering North Korean cyber threats held in the United States in June at Washington's request. Addressing the matter, the agency explained that there had been some misunderstanding several months ago, but that the issue is now in the past.

                                                                                                                Ha Man-ju