New U.S. Administration

[Anchor Lead]

As the South Korean government prepares for the incoming Trump administration, officials say that they will be in close contact with likely candidates for key posts in the next U.S. government. Let’s find out more.

[Pkg]

During his campaign, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump continuously raised issues with U.S. policy on the Korean Peninsula. He proposed the withdrawal of U.S. forces from South Korea, a more equal sharing of defense costs and a new free trade negotiation with Seoul. In a meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs on Monday, lawmakers asked a series of questions about how the government will respond to the new U.S. administration's demands.

[Soundbite] Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun(Committee Member (Saenuri Party)) : "You predict that the U.S. will exert pressure on the issue of defense cost sharing, don't you?"

[Soundbite] Rep. Kang Chang-il(Committee Member (Minjoo Party of Korea)) : "I ask the Foreign Ministry to devise measures in preparation for various scenarios."

[Soundbite] Rep. Park Joo-sun(Committee Member (People's Party)) : "I want to ask if the ministry thinks that Trump's campaign promises will be adopted as U.S. policies."

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said that the government is making preparations under several scenarios, adding that the government will adjust policies when officials are appointed in the Trump administration.

[Soundbite] Yun Byung-se(Foreign Minister) : "The government will review various options and make full preparations while watching the lineup of officials in the Trump administration."

The minister stressed that Trump and his Republican Party reaffirm the U.S.' solid commitment to the defense of South Korea and the government will closely work together with the transition committee and the new administration.