Seoul: Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok said Tuesday he expects to play a role in developing South Korea’s relations with the United States and Japan if appointed to the No. 2 government post. Kim made the remark during his first meeting with reporters since President Lee Jae-myung named him prime minister on the day he took office June 4.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Kim emphasized his deep understanding of the United States, citing his studies at Harvard University and his qualification as a licensed U.S. attorney. He mentioned his longstanding personal relationships with key members of the Trump administration, which he believes could contribute positively to South Korea-U.S. relations. Kim dismissed rumors of being anti-American and clarified that his involvement in a 1985 student protest at the U.S. cultural center in Seoul did not lead to a ban on his entry to the U.S.

The protest was staged to demand an apology from the U.S. for allegedly overlooking a crackdown by South Korea’s then military-backed regime on anti-government protests in Gwangju. Kim remarked that it was a significant incident, influencing the U.S. government’s response to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration by supporting South Korea’s democratic systems and opposing “military insurrection forces.”

Addressing South Korea’s relations with Japan, Kim underscored the bilateral relationship’s importance, particularly in economic recovery and negotiating a tariff deal with Washington. He expressed his interest in fostering diplomatic relations that align with South Korea’s national interest, promising to work towards these goals if he becomes prime minister.