[Full Text] Joint Statement of the South Korea-US Summit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden stated on the 21st in the joint Korea-U.S. summit declaration that "they share the recognition that the Korea-U.S. alliance has matured into a deep and comprehensive strategic relationship."

The following is the full text of the joint declaration.

[President Yoon Suk-yeol of the Republic of Korea welcomes the visit of President Joseph R. Biden of the United States of America. This summit was recorded as the earliest meeting held between a Korean president and a U.S. president during the Korean president’s term. The Korea-U.S. alliance, forged through shared sacrifices and our deep security relationship, continues to evolve and expand. As a core pillar of peace and prosperity in the region, the Korea-U.S. alliance has grown far beyond the Korean Peninsula, reflecting the pivotal roles of both countries as global leaders in democracy, economy, and technology. Facing existential challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increasing threats to the rules-based international order exemplified by Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine, the Republic of Korea and the United States unite with a common resolve to deepen and broaden our political, economic, security, and people-to-people ties. The two leaders highly appreciate the recent achievements of the Korea-U.S. alliance and pledge to continue building upon this rock-solid foundation.

◆ Core Pillar for Peace and Prosperity

President Yoon and President Biden reaffirmed their mutual commitments to the defense of Korea under the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Korea-U.S. combined defense posture. President Biden confirmed the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to Korea, utilizing all available categories of defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense. The two leaders also agreed to reactivate the High-Level Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) at the earliest possible time. They pledged to strengthen deterrence through enhanced combined defense posture and reaffirmed their commitment to a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control. In this context, considering North Korea’s evolving threats, the two leaders agreed to initiate consultations to expand the scope and scale of combined exercises and training on and around the Korean Peninsula. They also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to timely and coordinated deployment of U.S. strategic assets as necessary in response to destabilizing acts by North Korea, and pledged to identify new or additional measures to expand these actions and strengthen deterrence. In this regard, Korea and the U.S. will significantly expand cooperation to counter various cyber threats from North Korea, including state-sponsored cyberattacks.

President Yoon and President Biden reaffirmed their shared goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and agreed to further strengthen seamless Korea-U.S. coordination to achieve this. The two leaders share the recognition that North Korea’s nuclear program poses a serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to peace and stability in other parts of Asia and globally. They condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile tests, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile launches, which have increased this year and constitute clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions. They reaffirmed their joint determination to work with the international community to urge North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The two leaders called on all U.N. member states to fully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under these resolutions and existing commitments and agreements.

President Yoon and President Biden emphasized that the door remains open for peaceful and diplomatic dialogue with North Korea and urged North Korea to return to negotiations. President Yoon explained his bold plan to normalize inter-Korean relations aimed at a denuclearized and prosperous Korean Peninsula, and President Biden expressed support for inter-Korean cooperation. The two leaders emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan to respond to North Korea’s challenges, safeguard joint security and prosperity, uphold shared values, and strengthen the rules-based international order.

President Yoon and President Biden expressed serious concern over the human rights situation in North Korea. They also reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable North Korean people. The two leaders expressed concern over the recent COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea. Korea and the U.S. will cooperate with the international community to provide necessary support to North Korea in coping with the coronavirus.

◆ Strategic Economic and Technological Partnership

President Yoon and President Biden recognize that the future of the Korea-U.S. alliance will be defined by joint efforts to address 21st-century challenges. In this context, the two leaders pledged to deepen and expand cooperation on core and emerging technologies and cybersecurity. They also committed to developing, using, and advancing technology in accordance with shared democratic principles and universal values.

President Yoon and President Biden recognize the importance of deepening economic and energy security cooperation, which is critical to our prosperity, joint security, and collective interests. To support this vision, the two leaders will direct the national security offices of Korea and the U.S. to launch an economic security dialogue to coordinate administrative and policy approaches between the two governments.

Recognizing that Korean and American scientists, researchers, and engineers are among the most innovative in the world, the two leaders agreed to strengthen public-private cooperation to protect and promote core and emerging technologies, including advanced semiconductors, batteries for eco-friendly electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and autonomous robotics. Furthermore, the two leaders reaffirmed active support for personnel exchanges among experts in these fields. To this end, they agreed to cooperate to enhance such core and emerging technology partnerships between the two countries through investment promotion and research and development collaboration. Recognizing the growing potential for Korea-U.S. cooperation in the defense industry sector, the two leaders agreed to strengthen partnerships in areas such as defense mutual procurement agreements, supply chains, joint development, and manufacturing, including initiating discussions on the defense mutual procurement agreement.

Safe, sustainable, and resilient global supply chains form the foundation of these efforts. Building on intergovernmental cooperation promoted by the U.S.-led Global Supply Chain Resilience Summit and close cooperation at upcoming ministerial meetings, the two leaders agreed to continue cooperating to address immediate and long-term challenges within the supply chain ecosystem. They agreed to enhance cooperation on early warning systems for detecting and responding to potential supply chain disruptions and on the supply and refining of critical minerals to strengthen the resilience and diversity of global supply chains. The two leaders also agreed to establish a regular ministerial-level supply chain and industrial dialogue to discuss promoting resilient supply chains for key items such as semiconductors, batteries, and critical minerals. They further agreed to enhance cooperation between authorities responsible for foreign investment screening and export controls related to critical technologies to prevent the use of advanced technologies from undermining national and economic security.

Amid surging volatility in global energy markets resulting from Russia’s additional invasion of Ukraine, and recognizing the importance of climate change commitments as well as energy security, the two leaders agreed to strengthen joint cooperation to secure energy supply chains, including fossil fuels and enriched uranium, while acknowledging that true energy security lies in the rapid deployment of clean energy technologies and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The two leaders recognize the importance of nuclear energy as a key and reliable source of carbon-free power, a critical element for growing our clean energy economies, and an essential part of enhancing global energy security. They pledged to further expand nuclear cooperation, accelerate the development and global deployment of advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) by jointly utilizing export promotion and capacity-building tools, and build a more resilient nuclear supply chain. They reaffirmed their commitment to participate in global civil nuclear cooperation under the highest standards of nuclear nonproliferation, including the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol as a standard for international safety measures and nuclear supply agreements. Respecting each country’s intellectual investments and recognizing the shared goal of deepening strategic ties, the two leaders pledged to utilize mechanisms such as the Korea-U.S. High-Level Nuclear Commission to deepen cooperation on Korea-U.S. nuclear technology transfer and export cooperation, used fuel management, nuclear export promotion, fuel supply security, and nuclear security, providing a solid foundation for enhanced cooperation in the U.S., Korea, and overseas nuclear power markets. The U.S. welcomed Korea’s decision to participate in the U.S.-led Foundation for the Implementation of Responsible Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program for the responsible use of SMR technology.

President Yoon and President Biden pledged to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance across all areas of space cooperation. Building on Korea’s existing commitment to participate in the Artemis program, the two leaders agreed to promote joint research on space exploration and support Korea’s development of the Korean Positioning System (KPS). They agreed to hold the third Korea-U.S. Civil Space Dialogue by the end of this year and enhance cooperation on the space industries of both countries. The two leaders also pledged to continue cooperation to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment, including quantum space policy dialogues, and to strengthen the defense space partnership through combined exercises and other means.

President Yoon and President Biden agree that the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which marks its 10th anniversary this year, remains the foundation of bilateral economic relations. To promote sustainable growth and financial stability, including orderly and well-functioning foreign exchange markets, the two leaders recognized the need for close consultations on foreign exchange market developments. They share common values and core interests in fair and market-based competition and pledged to cooperate to address market-distorting practices.

◆ Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance: Beyond the Korean Peninsula

Facing increasingly complex global challenges, including threats from climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, President Yoon presented Korea’s vision as a global pivotal state seeking an expanded role in promoting freedom, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the Korea-U.S. global comprehensive strategic alliance, firmly rooted in shared values of democracy, the promotion of a rules-based international order, anti-corruption, and human rights. President Biden praised President Yoon’s vision to assume greater responsibilities at regional and global levels and warmly welcomed Korea’s leading role in the Summit for Democracy process.

Recognizing the existential threat posed by climate change, President Yoon and President Biden reaffirmed their commitments to the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) announced under the Paris Agreement, including the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets and the 2050 carbon neutrality goals. The two leaders also acknowledged the importance of the Global Methane Pledge and swift global action needed to address methane issues, agreeing to enhance cooperation to address methane emissions internationally. They decided to strengthen cooperation on clean energy such as hydrogen, clean shipping, accelerating the supply of zero-emission vehicles, aligning international financial flows, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the 2020s to achieve global carbon neutrality by 2050.

President Yoon and President Biden pledged to support strengthened multilateral efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to infectious disease threats. President Yoon highlighted President Biden’s leadership in convening the Global COVID-19 Summit in May 2022, and President Biden commended Korea’s commitments, including financial support for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) and support for establishing the Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) at the World Bank for pandemic response and global health security, along with Korea’s active participation. President Biden welcomed Korea’s decision to host the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) ministerial meeting this fall and establish the Global Health Security (GHS) Coordination Office in Seoul for sustainable global and regional health security. The two countries will also strengthen efforts in bilateral and multilateral forums to promote biosecurity and biosafety norms. Building on successful health cooperation, the U.S. and Korea will accelerate cooperation and innovation in cancer research, advanced cancer treatments, mental health research, early detection and treatment of mental health disorders, and strengthen health systems.

President Yoon and President Biden emphasized their shared recognition of the special benefits provided by an open, free, global, interoperable, trustworthy, and secure internet. To address increasing threats from digital authoritarianism, the two leaders pledged to foster an open internet ("network of networks") that ensures the free flow of information worldwide and protects human rights. To achieve this, Korea is ready to support the Declaration for the Future of the Internet, which the U.S. has already endorsed. The two leaders also reaffirmed the need to ensure that the internet continues to play a positive role in promoting equity, equality, and safety for women and girls in both societies. To this end, Korea and the U.S. are founding members of the Global Partnership on Addressing Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse. Recognizing the importance of communication security and operator diversity, the two leaders also pledged to cooperate to develop open, transparent, and secure 5G and 6G network equipment and architectures using the Open Radio Access Network (Open-RAN) approach domestically and internationally.

President Yoon and President Biden agreed to continue deepening Korea-U.S. cooperation on regional and international cyber policies, including deterrence of cyber adversaries, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, combating cybercrime and related money laundering, protection of virtual currencies and blockchain applications, capacity building, cyber training, information sharing, cyber cooperation between military authorities, and other international security issues in cyberspace.

President Yoon and President Biden oppose all acts that undermine the rules-based international order, cause instability, or threaten it, and stand united with the international community in opposing Russia’s unilateral additional attacks on Ukraine. Together with other allies in the international community, the two countries have firmly responded to these clear violations of international law by providing essential humanitarian aid to Ukraine and imposing their own financial sanctions and export controls on Russia and Russian entities. The two leaders confirmed their commitment to ensure the effective implementation of their respective measures to deter further Russian aggression and uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The two leaders recognize the importance of maintaining a prosperous, peaceful, free, and open Indo-Pacific and agreed to enhance mutual cooperation across the region. In this regard, President Biden expressed support for President Yoon’s vision to establish a Korea Indo-Pacific Strategy Framework. President Yoon also welcomed the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy. The two leaders pledged to work closely through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), based on principles of openness, transparency, and inclusiveness. They agreed to jointly develop the comprehensive IPEF to deepen economic engagement on priority issues, including digital economy, resilient supply chains, clean energy, and sustainable economic growth.

President Yoon and President Biden reaffirmed strong support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s perspectives on the Indo-Pacific. The two leaders pledged to enhance cooperation with Southeast Asia and Pacific island countries to promote high-quality, transparent investments, including sustainable development, energy security, and quality infrastructure investment. President Biden particularly welcomed President Yoon’s interest in the Quad and noted Korea’s complementary strengths in pandemic response, climate change, and critical technology development. The two leaders also agreed to cooperate on infrastructure financing, including digital infrastructure, in third countries. They emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan in effectively responding to shared economic challenges.

President Yoon and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, lawful and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea and other seas, and respect for international law, including freedom of navigation, overflight, and lawful use of the seas. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as a key element of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Sharing mutual concerns about human rights situations in the Indo-Pacific, the two leaders pledged to promote human rights and the rule of law worldwide. They strongly condemned the Myanmar military coup and the brutal attacks on civilians by the Myanmar military, pledging to press for an immediate end to violence, release of detainees, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Myanmar, and a swift return to democracy. The two leaders called on all countries to provide safe refuge to the people of Myanmar and join in banning arms sales to Myanmar.

President Yoon and President Biden share the recognition that the Korea-U.S. alliance has matured into a deep and comprehensive strategic relationship. Through dynamic close ties between the peoples of both countries, extensive economic and investment linkages, and commitments to democracy, human rights, and a rules-based international order, Korea and the U.S. are advancing into a relationship capable of responding to any challenge and seizing every opportunity before them. President Yoon and President Biden jointly acknowledge the importance of their shared commitments and pledge to continuously cooperate to expand and deepen ties to keep both countries well-positioned in a rapidly changing world.

President Biden expressed gratitude for President Yoon’s warm hospitality and extended an invitation for President Yoon to visit Washington at a mutually convenient time.]