Korea-US Leaders Declare Technology Alliance at Samsung Semiconductor Plant

Elevating Military and Security Alliance to Comprehensive Strategic Alliance Including Technology Partnership
Yoon Conscious of China's Backlash Amid Alliance Strengthening
"ROK-US and ROK-China Are Not a Zero-Sum Game"
Biden Also Plans Visit to Aerospace Operations Command as Part of Security Efforts

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] It has been reported that President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden will officially declare a technology alliance through a joint speech during their visit to the Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek on the 20th. There is growing anticipation that, beyond global supply chain cooperation and economic security collaboration, specific measures to create synergy using the world-class semiconductor design and manufacturing technologies possessed by both the U.S. and South Korea will be mentioned. President Yoon appeared conscious of China's backlash against the strengthening of the Korea-U.S. alliance, stating, "The Korea-U.S. and Korea-China relationships are not a zero-sum game."

A presidential office official said on the day, "Until now, the Korea-U.S. alliance has been discussed only in terms of military and security alliances, but now is the time when comprehensive cooperation begins," emphasizing, "Since the first schedule is set at a semiconductor site where both countries have deep interests, it will be an opportunity to announce the Korea-U.S. technology alliance in the global market." Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, also explained the purpose of visiting the Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant during an in-flight briefing, stating, "President Biden aims to strengthen the advanced technology ecosystem between democracies and free societies, which must be protected from predation by other countries."

In addition, since the agenda of this summit includes strengthening cooperation in automobiles, batteries, and nuclear power generation, related remarks are also likely to be made. It is known that after the summit, the Korea-U.S. will jointly declare the expansion of cooperation programs such as infrastructure building and human resource support for joint entry into overseas nuclear power markets. On his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office building that day, President Yoon emphasized to reporters, "Because there are many changes in the international community, I think this will be an opportunity for the Korea-U.S. alliance to become stronger and to evolve into an alliance that covers a broader scope."

The media charter plane carrying the accompanying press corps of U.S. President Joe Biden arrived at Osan U.S. Air Force Base early on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Throughout President Biden's visit to Korea, he is expected to pursue economic and technological cooperation with Korea. After the summit, a welcoming dinner hosted by President Yoon at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan will invite not only political figures and sports and cultural personalities but also the heads of Korea's top 10 conglomerates.

Alongside this, as part of his security-related activities, President Biden is reportedly considering visiting the Air Operations Command (KAOC) of the Air Force Operations Command (Kongjaksa), which commands air operations across the Korean Peninsula. This visit is planned for the last day of his three-day, two-night visit, on the 22nd, before his departure, to the KAOC located in Osan. Since President Yoon is expected to accompany President Biden to Osan for his farewell, the two leaders will likely visit the KAOC, the highest-level command of the Korea-U.S. Air Force that directs and coordinates wartime missile operations of the army, navy, and air force, to receive a briefing on joint air operations. This is interpreted as an intention by the two leaders to showcase the solid Korea-U.S. alliance and send a warning message to North Korea by visiting a symbolic site of joint defense amid North Korea's repeated provocations.

The presidential office has been issuing messages daily regarding China's backlash. The Korean government’s position is that strengthening the Korea-U.S. technology alliance and Korea's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) are not strategies to exclude China. Cooperation with the U.S. and cooperation with China will proceed separately. Regarding relations with China, President Yoon dismissed concerns by saying, "We just need to manage economic relations well."