[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 13th (local time), Lee Soo-hyuk, South Korean Ambassador to the United States, stated at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit held at the South Korean Embassy in Washington DC, "The Joe Biden administration has no intention to expand the Quad, a consultative body formed with Japan, Australia, and India to counter China, for the time being."
In response to a question from Park Jin, a member of the People Power Party, asking whether South Korea had ever received an invitation to join the US-led Quad, the ambassador said, "After last month's Quad summit, I received related explanations from the US," adding, "I was confirmed that the Quad has no intention to expand its membership for the time being."
He emphasized, "Expanding to more than four countries is not the official position of the Quad." The Quad held its first virtual summit in March and its first in-person summit at the White House last month.
Within the US, there are voices calling for expanding the Quad to a 'Quad Plus' or increasing cooperation countries and fields, with South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand mentioned as potential partners. Regarding this, South Korea has stated that it has never been asked to participate in the so-called Quad Plus.
Regarding the necessity of South Korea joining the Quad, the ambassador said, "We might participate individually in three areas: technology, climate, and public health if necessary, but it seems like a situation where the person who would give the rice cake is not even thinking about it," adding, "We have not actively expressed interest, and since the Quad has no plans to expand, it appears to be a premature debate."
Concerning concerns that South Korea's passive stance toward the Quad might cause it to miss opportunities to expand its national interests, the ambassador responded, "The US fully understands the various complex situations that South Korea faces."
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