“Why is Korea after Japan”… I thought the Biden administration would be different.

New U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blincoln made the first phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the 27th, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

In November of last year, elected Joe Biden, national security adviser, defense minister, and even the secretary of state were all stolen to Japan.

According to NHK, Minister Blincoln made an oath of inauguration at the Office of the State Department on the morning of that day, followed by Canadian Foreign Minister Mark Gano, followed by Foreign Minister Motegi and delivered his inauguration greetings. Minister Blincoln plans to make a phone call with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha sooner or later.

On the 26th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “If Blincoln nominee is approved, there will be a call with Minister Kang Kyung-hwa as soon as possible.”

However, some analysts are analyzing whether it has been confirmed that the Biden administration, which was launched on the 20th, has placed priority in Asia, not Korea, over recent calls with Japan before Korea.

Previously, the new White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke with the head of the National Security Office, Seo Hoon, two days after talking to Japan’s National Security Bureau chief, Shigeru Kitamura, a counter part on the 21st.

New Defense Minister Lloyd Austin also spoke with Defense Minister Seo-wook on the 24th, the day after communication with Japanese Foreign Minister Kishi Nobuo on the 23rd.

In November of last year, even when Biden spoke with the leaders of each country immediately after the US presidential election, he spoke with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga before talking with President Moon Jae-in.

At the time, the Blue House said, “I don’t think it matters who goes first.” If it’s not a big difference, you don’t need to give much meaning to the order of calls.

[이상규 매경닷컴 기자 [email protected]]
[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]