[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 5th (local time), the Korea-US Policy Consultation Delegation of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol visited the White House, delivered a letter from President-elect Yoon to President Joe Biden, and met with Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, exchanging views on the early holding of a summit.
Park Jin, head of the delegation, met with Advisor Sullivan at the White House for about 40 minutes and told reporters, "We delivered a letter reflecting President-elect Yoon's firm will and vision for the development of the Korea-US alliance." The delegation did not meet President Biden directly that day.
The letter included content proposing to elevate the alliance to a comprehensive strategic alliance to jointly respond to new challenges including North Korea's nuclear issue and economic security.
Advisor Sullivan reportedly said that following the March phone call between President-elect Yoon and President Biden, the delegation's prompt visit to the US confirms the president-elect's strong determination to strengthen the Korea-US alliance, and that he would convey President-elect Yoon's intentions well to President Biden.
Both sides also discussed the necessity of holding an early summit. Park said, "We exchanged opinions on the need to hold a Korea-US summit early after the new administration's inauguration," adding, "We agreed that if the Korea-US summit takes place, it should include very important and substantial content to strengthen the alliance." However, there was no mention of specific timing or location.
They also exchanged views on North Korea policy. Park said, "We shared the recognition that North Korea's nuclear and missile development is a threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to regional security," and added, "We discussed the importance of strengthening extended deterrence and the Korea-US combined defense posture." When asked if the deployment of strategic assets was mentioned, he only said, "It was discussed as an important element of strengthening extended deterrence."
Regarding the 'Quad,' a US-led consultative body to counter China, he said, "There was content emphasizing that Korea's participation in the Quad Working Group, engaging in areas such as COVID-19, climate change, and emerging technologies, contributes to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and that Korea's role is quite important.
The delegation planned to meet with Senate members following a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that day. Park said that during the meeting with Secretary Austin, they would discuss measures to ensure that the US Forces Korea can function properly, including the resumption of Korea-US joint military exercises.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
