[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated on the 3rd, “There can be no pause in the efforts to evolve the ROK-US alliance to respond to today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s risks.”
Foreign Minister Park Jin is giving a greeting at the opening ceremony of the Economic Diplomacy and Security Center held at the Platinum Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Minister Park said this in a congratulatory speech at the ROK-US 140th Anniversary Symposium held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul in the morning, hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and the U.S. Embassy in Korea. He said, “The fact that the ROK-US alliance has lasted for more than half a century proves the alliance’s ability to adapt to changes in the geopolitical environment and the demands of the times.”
Minister Park emphasized that the recent ROK-US summit held on the occasion of President Joe Biden’s visit to Korea served as an opportunity to present a blueprint to elevate the ROK-US alliance, which will mark its 70th anniversary next year, to a ‘global comprehensive strategic alliance.’
Minister Park introduced, “The two leaders agreed on the importance of an alliance of like-minded democratic countries in upholding and promoting democratic values and norms.”
He also detailed that at this summit, the two leaders agreed to expand the alliance’s scope based on mutual trust to comprehensive areas including traditional security, economic security, and regional and global order.
Minister Park mentioned that the world-renowned K-pop group BTS visited the White House on the 31st of last month (local time) and discussed measures to counter anti-Asian hate crimes with President Biden.
He said, “I grew up listening to The Beatles’ music in the 1960s and 70s. I admired their music and message. Now, young people around the world are growing up watching BTS, who have captured the hearts of people worldwide with messages of peace, love, freedom, and humanity through their music.”
He added, “I believe the ROK-US alliance should also contribute to these values.”
Meanwhile, Minister Park met with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, Illinois) on the same day and exchanged views on mutual interests including ROK-US relations, the Korean Peninsula issue, and regional and global cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Park said during the meeting that the ROK and the U.S. will strengthen cooperation not only in security but also in economic and technological fields beyond the Korean Peninsula to a global level based on shared values such as liberal democracy and human rights.
He further emphasized that Korea will take on more responsibilities and contributions in the international community as a global pivotal state.
In response, Senator Duckworth congratulated Minister Park on his appointment and the successful ROK-US summit, evaluating that the ROK-US alliance has been developing more firmly since the launch of the new Korean government.
She also welcomed Korea’s increasing role in the international community and said there is bipartisan support for the ROK-US alliance within the U.S. Congress, pledging congressional support for its development into a global comprehensive strategic alliance.
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