US Ambassador: "Maintaining the Best ROK-US Alliance with Trump’s Second Term... Strengthening Extended Deterrence"

Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong to the United States stated on the 25th (local time) regarding the inauguration of the second Trump administration in January next year, "Our government prioritizes continuously developing the best possible Korea-US alliance regardless of changes in the US administration."

Yonhap News

At a press corps meeting held at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington D.C. on the same day, Ambassador Cho said that the Korea-US alliance will continue to be strengthened even after the inauguration of the second Trump administration. He emphasized, "In the significantly changed security situation on the Korean Peninsula compared to the first Trump administration?such as the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and the close military ties between Russia and North Korea, the increasingly severe North Korean threats to South Korea, and the possibility of major provocations during the US administration transition period?we will continue to closely consult with the US side to ensure that the combined defense posture, including extended deterrence (the provision of the US nuclear umbrella), is firmly maintained and further strengthened."

Ambassador Cho introduced that on the 6th, when the US presidential election results were confirmed, President Yoon Suk-yeol and President-elect Trump had a phone call, during which there was not only a customary greeting but also substantive exchanges of views on cooperation in areas such as the Korean Peninsula. He evaluated this as "the first button was well fastened." He added, "I have also been communicating in various ways recently, especially with senior Republican lawmakers known to be close to President-elect Trump, including Representative Mike Waltz, who has been nominated as National Security Advisor." He explained, "Going forward, based on various networks between Korea and the US, including our business community, we intend to prepare for the 'Trump 2.0' era."

However, the Trump transition team has set a policy not to meet with foreign heads of state before the presidential inauguration, considering US laws and customs such as the Logan Act. It is known that this policy has been communicated to many countries, including South Korea, that requested meetings before the inauguration. Individuals nominated for the second Trump administration’s cabinet are also refraining from external contacts until they complete congressional confirmation. The Logan Act prohibits US citizens from negotiating with foreign governments without authorization.

Additionally, Ambassador Cho stated, "We will closely analyze the impact of changes in economic and trade policy under the second Trump administration on our economy and companies, proactively manage foreseeable economic issues such as tariffs, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the CHIPS and Science Act (CSA), and make every effort to create a favorable environment for our companies." This implies preparing for possible changes in subsidy policies for Korean companies investing in the US under the IRA and CSA?key economic legislations of the Biden administration?as well as the potential introduction of 'universal tariffs' promised by President-elect Trump.

Along with this, Ambassador Cho introduced that last year, South Korea ranked first among all countries worldwide in investment in the US, and he added, "We plan to actively remind the US political circles of the importance of maintaining a stable investment environment for our companies." He emphasized, "Just as Korea and the US have created mutual synergies in major industries such as automobiles, batteries, and semiconductors, we will make every effort to minimize challenges and maximize opportunities in the 'Trump 2.0' era by actively seeking to expand cooperation in strategic industries beyond existing fields, including shipbuilding, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, defense industry, and nuclear power."