President Moon Jae-in Attends Honorary Medal Ceremony as First Foreign Leader
Awarded Medal to War Hero Who Fought Against Chinese Forces
Emphasizes ROK-US Alliance Against China, Not North Korea
Signals Strengthening ROK-US Alliance While Indicating China Containment
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Army Colonel Ralph Perkett in the presence of President Moon Jae-in. On the surface, it was an event symbolizing the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but it was observed to be aimed more at China than North Korea.
During the medal ceremony held at the White House on the 21st (local time), President Biden mentioned the Chinese military several times in his speech. The main point of the speech was that Colonel Perkett performed heroic actions against the Chinese military.
President Biden emphasized that Colonel Perkett fought alongside South Korean troops against fierce offensives by the Chinese military at Hill 205 near the Chinese border. There was no mention of fighting against North Korean troops.
By shifting responsibility to the Chinese military rather than North Korea, which initiated the Korean War, the event underscored the blood alliance between South Korea and the U.S. in standing against China.
The U.S. side staged an event emphasizing the South Korea-U.S. alliance through a Korean War hero, while refraining as much as possible from provoking North Korea and instead cleverly sending a warning to China.
President Biden expressed his honor in inviting President Moon to the ceremony, stating, "The strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance was born from our two militaries standing shoulder to shoulder and fighting together."
During the event, President Biden also escorted President Moon to the podium to allow him to express gratitude to Colonel Perkett.
President Moon responded, "Without the sacrifices of veterans like Colonel Perkett, South Korea’s freedom and democracy could not have blossomed."
Even after the medal awarding, President Biden invited President Moon to join in the commemorative photo. The two presidents knelt side by side on either side of Colonel Perkett for the photo.
This event, aimed at China rather than North Korea, can also be seen in connection with the Biden administration’s cautious approach to North Korea, avoiding provocative actions, while openly showing vigilance toward China. The Biden administration is taking a careful approach to North Korea but is openly wary of China.
Earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris, during a meeting with President Moon, said, "President Joe Biden and I are confident that South Korea and the United States can promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region anchored in international norms and order that are not constrained by coercion."
This is also interpreted as emphasizing South Korea’s participation in countering China, which is expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had also announced a day earlier that the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit would address not only North Korea but also measures to counter China.
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