Harris on Meeting with Yoon: "A Commitment to Strengthening ROK-US Relations"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 29th, "We will build national security and mid-to-long-term growth strategies together while cushioning various economic shocks so that the people do not feel inconvenienced." This is interpreted as a response to the clear signs of economic and security crises such as concerns over a global economic recession and North Korea's military provocations. President Yoon met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited Korea that day, and repeatedly emphasized the Korea-U.S. alliance.
On his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office that day, President Yoon told reporters about North Korea's ballistic missile launch the previous day, "Yesterday, North Korea fired another missile, so we held a Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC). I waited until late at night to receive the report," adding, "This is already the 20th time this year."
President Yoon also said, "There is no free lunch in security," and "It is based on all economic activities." He expressed the necessity of the Korea-U.S. joint maritime exercise currently underway in the East Sea while condemning North Korea's ballistic missile launch.
President Yoon continued, "Various economic indicators are difficult, but we will still take good care of our people and the livelihoods of the common people. Our future mid-to-long-term growth strategy is digital advancement." He explained, "At the core of improving productivity across all industrial sectors through digital advancement is artificial intelligence (AI)."
That day, President Yoon met Vice President Harris at the Yongsan Presidential Office building to discuss the 'strong Korea-U.S. alliance.' At this meeting, both sides expressed concern over North Korea's deepening development of nuclear and missile programs and reiterated the Korea-U.S. alliance.
Earlier, President Yoon said, "The Korea-U.S. maritime exercise is being conducted in the East Sea for the first time in several years, and Vice President Harris is visiting Korea today," adding, "It is difficult to have long, private talks bilaterally at multilateral meetings attended by more than 100 countries," and revealed the agenda, "I plan to have the conversations we missed with Vice President Harris during my attendance at the state funeral of the former Japanese Prime Minister."
President Yoon first recalled, "The Korea-U.S. alliance is developing into a global alliance beyond the Korean Peninsula and is expanding from a military alliance to an economic and technological alliance," and said, "President Biden and I met several times last week, including in London and New York, and reached a consensus on the direction of our alliance's development." He emphasized, "I want to continue developing the Korea-U.S. alliance as a strong pillar that protects the freedom, safety, and prosperity of our people."
Vice President Harris shared her understanding of the security situation in Northeast Asia, including North Korea's nuclear weapons development and peace in the Taiwan Strait, and emphasized close cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
Vice President Harris said, "Before my visit, President Biden personally asked me to convey his regards and mentioned that this year has been a very productive visit to Korea," adding, "So I think today's talks are a continuation of that, and I see this as a good opportunity to show the will to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries."
Vice President Harris is also known to have expressed concerns about the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's gender equality policies at this meeting. In a recent interview with The New York Times (NYT), she said, "I strongly believe that the state of democracy can be measured by the status of women in a democratic country," and mentioned, "I plan to raise this issue with President Yoon." After meeting President Yoon that day, Vice President Harris also had a schedule to meet with Korean female IT entrepreneurs and sports stars.
Despite North Korea's military provocation by launching ballistic missiles, Vice President Harris decided to proceed with her planned visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that afternoon without cancellation. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre explained at a press briefing on the 28th (local time), "Vice President Harris will visit the DMZ, tour the area, meet soldiers, and receive an operational briefing from U.S. military commanders."
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