Former Ambassador Lippert: "We Must Expand Advanced Technology Cooperation... The ROK-US Alliance is the 'Last Pillar'"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Cho] "The newest, most important, and most anticipated aspect of recent South Korea-U.S. relations is deepening and expanding cooperation in advanced technology." Mark Lippert, well known as the former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea and currently Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Samsung Electronics North America, stated on the 7th (local time) that advanced technology cooperation is the 'final pillar' of South Korea-U.S. relations.

Vice President Lippert attended the '30th Anniversary South Korea-U.S. Trade Special Economic Forum' held at the Marriott Hotel in Teaneck, New Jersey, hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. (KOCHAM), where he mentioned security and trade as core pillars of the South Korea-U.S. alliance before making this statement.

First, Vice President Lippert said, "President Joe Biden and President Yoon Suk-yeol have agreed to strengthen cooperation between the private and public sectors in cutting-edge semiconductors, eco-friendly batteries, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, and other latest technologies," emphasizing that "advanced technology is crucial to maintaining competitiveness and sustaining security and economic growth."

He noted that since advanced technology cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is still in its early stages, it is very dynamic and unpredictable, but "there is a real reason to be optimistic." The first reason is that both countries have built close cooperation over decades in these fields and possess the most advanced scientists, researchers, and engineers. He also mentioned that related discussions have continued through high-level dialogues. Additionally, he added that cooperation in the private and nonprofit sectors is essential.

In particular, Vice President Lippert emphasized, "It is essential to leverage our collective comparative advantages in both the public and private sectors," adding, "The U.S. has taken unprecedented measures for more active industrial policies in fields such as semiconductors and biotechnology, and allies like South Korea are at the core of this strategy." Having recently joined Samsung Electronics earlier this year, he evaluated the joint visit by the South Korea-U.S. leaders to Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant in May as "a significant symbol demonstrating this importance."

On this day, Vice President Lippert also emphasized the need for cooperation in the 'New Frontier' sectors he proposed in a 2015 speech. The New Frontier refers to areas such as space, energy, environment, global health, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He explained its importance by saying, "These are real 21st-century issues with the potential to dramatically expand the alliance beyond the two pillars of security and trade." He also added that the recently emphasized advanced technology cooperation by the South Korea-U.S. leaders overlaps somewhat with these New Frontier areas.

Having served as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea from 2014 to 2017, he stressed that South Korea and the U.S. share democratic values, saying, "South Korea's path toward democracy is remarkable." Regarding the current South Korea-U.S. alliance, he described it as "strong," noting that "it has matured and grown over time and overcome many challenges." He looked forward to "broadening opportunities between the two countries" and said that cooperation in advanced technology and other areas could open doors for the next generation.

Also attending the event were Esperanza Gomez Zellalian, Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Troy Stangarone, Senior Trade Director at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI). Executive Vice President Zellalian said, "For the U.S., South Korea is a partner in the Korea-U.S. FTA and a close ally," adding that recent issues such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) "should be addressed recognizing that South Korea-U.S. cooperation is important for solving global supply chain problems." She requested that both governments strengthen cooperation with the private sector, enhance supply chain resilience and market diversification of key industries, and support corporate investment through the reduction of international trade barriers.