Kurt Campbell, US Coordinator, "No Plans to Expand Quad at This Time"

Photo by AFP News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Kurt Campbell, the U.S. White House National Security Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific Coordinator, stated that there are no plans to expand the Quad at this time.

In an interview with domestic media on the 18th (local time), Coordinator Campbell said, "The Quad was created to show what the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, as democracies, can do together for their own people and the world," adding, "(If the Quad were to expand) we would have to change its name."

However, he added, "We believe there are ways to continue expanding cooperation within the region," and "This includes cooperation with other partners such as South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)."

This statement draws a line on the possibility of expanding the Quad but suggests that cooperation with regional countries or areas is being considered.

The Joe Biden administration, shortly after taking office, raised the banner of countering China and has been rallying the four countries by holding Quad foreign ministers' meetings and even Quad summits.

He also mentioned that the South Korean and U.S. leaders are scheduled to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on vaccine supply related to South Korea's COVID-19 situation. Coordinator Campbell emphasized, "Both the United States and South Korea are important vaccine manufacturing countries," and "We must cooperate to strengthen the global supply of vaccines."

Regarding semiconductor cooperation, he explained, "Both the United States and South Korea are world-leading countries in technology," and "We plan to discuss new ways for the two countries to cooperate on this important issue."