Additional Clarification on Controversial Remarks During National Assembly Audit... "The ROK-US Alliance is Central to South Korea's Diplomacy and Must Be Actively Strengthened"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Lee Soo-hyuk, the South Korean ambassador to the United States, who sparked controversy with his candid remarks about the ROK-US alliance during the National Assembly audit, has issued a clarification stating that "the ROK-US alliance is the cornerstone of South Korea's diplomacy and must be maintained and strengthened going forward."
On the 28th (local time), at a press briefing held at the South Korean Embassy in Washington DC, Ambassador Lee said, "The ROK-US alliance has been the center of South Korea's diplomacy, and I have clearly expressed the view that the alliance should actively develop based on shared values and mutually beneficial interests." He emphasized, "My remarks during the recent National Assembly audit were made with this intention, and since the ROK-US alliance is based on shared values and mutual national interests, it must be maintained and strengthened in the future."
Earlier, on the 11th, during a virtual National Assembly audit, Ambassador Lee made a candid statement regarding the ROK-US alliance, saying, "Going forward, choosing the United States should be based on national interests." However, this response was criticized as inappropriate for an ambassador, and the U.S. State Department also indirectly expressed discomfort. Subsequently, on the 26th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha appeared at a comprehensive National Assembly audit and acknowledged that some expressions in the ambassador's remarks were problematic, stating, "We will thoroughly review the necessary parts and take appropriate measures. I believe some form of action is required."
He also revealed that the direction of diplomacy toward the U.S. following the highly anticipated U.S. presidential election on November 3 is being comprehensively reviewed. Ambassador Lee said, "The outcome of the U.S. presidential election is a significant factor that will greatly influence the direction of diplomacy toward the U.S. over the next four years," adding, "We are closely communicating with headquarters and comprehensively reviewing South Korea's diplomatic direction toward the U.S. according to each possible election scenario."
Regarding the election results, he took a cautious stance. Ambassador Lee explained, "It is a situation where we must be careful not to make definitive judgments about the U.S. presidential election results," and added, "Regardless of which candidate wins, the embassy will work to ensure that the ROK-US alliance develops stably and that the government's peace process on the Korean Peninsula can progress, thereby laying the foundation for diplomacy toward the U.S. over the next four years."
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