Ruling and Opposition Parties Share Expectations and Concerns About Trump Administration: "Strengthening the Korea-US Alliance" and "Responding to America First Policy"

Concerns Over South Korea-US Alliance and Retaliatory Tariffs Amid US Isolationism and America First Policy
Ruling and Opposition Parties Meet Key Figures After Attending President Trump's Inauguration

On the 21st, both ruling and opposition parties expressed expectations for strengthening the South Korea-US alliance with the inauguration of the second term of the Donald Trump administration, while also voicing concerns over America's America First trade policy and preparing countermeasures. Amid security crises such as North Korean provocations and Russian troop deployments, the Trump administration has chosen isolationism, prompting reaffirmation of the South Korea-US alliance and preemptive measures to block disadvantages from trade policies.

According to political circles on the 21st, the official parliamentary delegation visiting the US to attend Donald Trump's presidential inauguration includes Kim Seok-ki, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and member of the People Power Party, along with members Kim Ki-hyun, Yoon Sang-hyun, In Yo-han of the People Power Party, and Cho Jung-sik, Kim Young-bae, Hong Ki-won of the Democratic Party of Korea. They plan to meet key Republican figures to discuss Korean Peninsula policies. The delegation intends to meet Senator Chris Van Hollen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Young Kim, former co-chair of the Congressional Korea Caucus and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's East Asia Subcommittee, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Fred Fleitz, deputy director of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI).

The People Power Party has formed its own diplomatic delegation centered on lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Kang Min-guk, Cho Jung-sik, and Kim Dae-sik, who were invited by the US, to meet with key figures in both the Senate and House as well as the Republican Party. On the 19th, the People Power Party's diplomatic delegation met with John Mark Burns, a close aide to President Trump.

On the 21st and 22nd of this month, they plan a series of meetings with key Republican figures such as Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Korea Subcommittee, and Representative Young Kim. Representative Na stated, "We will establish a solid communication channel with President Trump's close aides and key figures in both houses of Congress and the Republican Party to develop the South Korea-US alliance beyond security and economic cooperation into a value alliance that jointly protects liberal democracy and the rule of law."

Kim Seok-ki, Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee (right), and other Korean lawmakers arrived in the United States on the 18th via Dulles International Airport near Washington DC to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on the 20th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News.

The Democratic Party issued a congratulatory statement on President Trump's inauguration. Yeom Seung-yeol, the Democratic Party's foreign media spokesperson, said in a written briefing, "We have stood together to face global challenges and uphold the values of freedom and democracy," adding, "South Korea and the United States will join hands and cooperate for the safety and prosperity of both countries."

Both ruling and opposition leaders, defining the Trump administration's launch as an "era of great transformation," have begun reaffirming the South Korea-US alliance and trade issues through contact with the US side. This is because the Korean Peninsula situation could rapidly change as President Trump chooses isolationism by withdrawing from foreign wars and conflicts. Additionally, with President Trump declaring a strengthening of protectionism, there are concerns that if retaliatory tariffs are imposed on South Korea?which recorded the largest trade surplus with the US last year?South Korea could face economic shocks following political shocks such as martial law situations and impeachment. Accordingly, Interim Chairman Kwon and Party Leader Lee plan to meet with Joseph Yun, acting US ambassador to South Korea, on the 21st and 22nd respectively to discuss related issues.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.