Blinken: "The ROK-US Alliance Has Grown into an Important Global Partnership" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken on the 25th (local time) commemorated the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and evaluated that "over the past 70 years, the South Korea-U.S. relationship has grown from a core security alliance into an essential global partnership."

In his keynote speech at the Korea-U.S. Strategic Forum held in Washington D.C. by the Korea Foundation (KF) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Secretary Blinken said, “(The South Korea-U.S. relationship) is expanding in scope and significance every day,” adding, “The alliance has been steadfastly maintained through continuous cooperation to this day.”

He defined the partnership between the two countries as "a testament to the very close human and economic ties, and the shared democratic values vision for the world," stating, "We are cooperating with South Korea on important priorities for our peoples, the Indo-Pacific, and the world."

Secretary Blinken emphasized that "the commitment to mutual defense, including extended deterrence against North Korea’s provocative actions, is ironclad," and said, "We are translating this into concrete actions through the Washington Declaration." Referring to the Korea-U.S.-Japan Camp David summit held last month, he evaluated, "We tend to use the word 'historic' loosely, but this truly fits the definition of that word."

Listing the agreements made at the trilateral summit, including the establishment of a real-time sharing system for North Korean missile warning information, he said, "In response to North Korea’s failed second satellite launch attempt, we already had an opportunity to demonstrate strengthened trilateral cooperation."

Secretary Blinken stated, "While the security alliance is essential, it is not the only factor that makes the bilateral relationship important," adding, "We are also strengthening our economic partnership."

He cited examples of investments in the U.S. by SK Siltron and Hanwha Q CELLS, evaluating that "In just the past two years, Korean companies have invested over $100 billion in the U.S., leading innovation and creating good jobs for American and Korean workers."

He emphasized, "Such investments between the two countries strengthen our critical supply chains and reduce our dependence on unreliable suppliers."

Secretary Blinken said, "Technology and innovation are the foundation of the economic strength of both countries," mentioning cooperation in science and technology between South Korea and the U.S., and stated, "We are expanding cooperation to address global challenges."

He referred to South Korea’s support for Ukraine and cooperation on reforming international multilateral development banks, saying, "We look forward to South Korea’s strong voice in upholding the UN Charter as it serves as a non-permanent member of the Security Council next year," adding, "This is a special moment for the Korea brand."

Secretary Blinken said, "What you see is a special ambition shared between South Korea and the U.S. for the next generation of partnership," and added, "Over the past few years, we have made great progress in realizing this vision, and we are prioritizing measures to institutionalize cooperation so that it can continue in the future and in subsequent administrations."