청와대, '美 대선'에 촉각...다각도 시나리오 검토<br /><br />South Korea is also closely watching the U.S. presidential election as it will determine the direction of key issues on the Korean Peninsula and the Seoul-Washington alliance for the next four years.<br />Joining me live is Arirang's presidential office correspondent Kim Min-ji from the nation's top office.<br />Min-ji, the Blue House hasn't issued any sort of public statement regarding the U.S. presidential race yet.<br />How are things looking there right now?<br />South Korea's presidential office has been maintaining a cautious stance without making any official remarks regarding the U.S. election.<br />President Moon Jae-in has no public agendas scheduled for today or tomorrow likely to focus on the developments.<br />A senior official here says that the top office is closely following the vote count,... and that the National Security Council is preparing for all possible scenarios.<br />He added that once the outcome becomes clear,... President Moon will likely convene a meeting of related ministers to discuss response measures.<br />So we're not expecting anything official to come out of the Blue House tonight.<br />Once results are out, something else that'll be closely watched is when Moon will call the new president-elect to offer his congratulations.<br />The results of the U.S. election are expected to have an impact on several critical issues,.. including the stalled denuclearization talks with North Korea,... defense cost-sharing negotiations as well as the U.S.-China trade rivalry?<br />Well, President Moon has just over a year left in office and for progress on his peace initiative with Pyeongyang Washington's North Korea policy will be a variable.<br />Should Donald Trump win it increases the likelihood of a resumption in denuclearization talks.<br />But, we can not rule out the possibility that Trump may push for change if re-elected.<br />In contrast, if Joe Biden were to claim victory chances of a summit could be slim as it is expected that he may opt for a more bottom-up approach.<br />The two allies also have to settle their defense cost-sharing deal.<br />If Trump were to stay in office,... South Korea may face further pressure for a significant hike to cover its share of the burden.<br />Under a Biden presidency,... it may give Seoul some leeway as he as stressed that he will repair ties with Washington's allies and not "extort" them.<br />Aside from that that, this high-stakes election takes place at a time when South Korea is stuck between the U.S. and China amid their ongoing conflict.<br />With both sides likely to maintain a hardline approach,... there are concerns that Washington may push for a regional military alliance.... putting Seoul in a sticky position.<br />Now, we'll have to see which candidate will win but regardless of administration, the South Korean government maintains its stance of advancing the strong Seoul-Washington alliance...and working toward peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.<br />Back to you, Conn-young.<br />
