Attendance at AMCHAM Special Luncheon
Roundtable with AMCHAM Chairman James Kim
Kim Moonsoo: "Without the U.S., There Would Be No Korea"
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, announced that if he is elected president, "I will visit the United States as early as June and hold an early summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump."
On the morning of May 19, at a special luncheon meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim stated, "The global international situation and trade environment are changing rapidly. Strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance and friendly cooperation is key to overcoming these crises."
He continued, "I will seek to build consensus through comprehensive negotiations between the leaders of South Korea and the United States and find ways for both countries to achieve a win-win outcome." He emphasized, "The top priority for South Korea's national interest is to actively identify new economic opportunities for joint development, such as cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, which is of interest to the United States, and to usher in a new era of shared prosperity between South Korea and the United States."
James Kim, chairman of AMCHAM, remarked on the same day, "South Korea is facing complex political challenges both domestically and internationally," and added, "With only a few weeks left until the upcoming presidential election, it will be a critical turning point." He continued, "I have long respected Candidate Kim's sharp insight, unwavering principles, and pioneering leadership in innovation and economic development," and said, "I look forward to in-depth discussions today on how South Korea can establish itself as the top business hub in the Asia-Pacific region and as a core economic partner of the United States."
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, is holding a roundtable discussion with James Kim, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). Provided by AMCHAM
During the roundtable with Candidate Kim, Chairman Kim asked, "With the presidential election approaching, how do you plan to narrow the gap in opinion polls with Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate?" In response, Candidate Kim explained that conservative candidates, such as Lee Joonseok of the Reform New Party, are each receiving support from conservative voters, and said, "If the candidates unite and combine their strength, there will be significant changes."
When asked what efforts he would make to resolve South Korea's political division, Candidate Kim said, "I was once anti-American," and emphasized, "Now, I believe the South Korea-U.S. alliance is the fundamental axis of South Korea's diplomacy."
He added, "I believe that without the United States, there would be no South Korea. The United States has shared all the core aspects of our country, and these are the key elements that can lead South Korea into the future."
He also pledged to work on easing regulations on businesses. Candidate Kim stated, "Fundamentally, we need to reduce taxes," and added, "I will make bold efforts to reduce judicial risks for businesses and establish a regulatory innovation office to address the concentration of regulations."
Regarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju this October, he said, "If President Trump attends the APEC summit, his participation itself will be a major event," and emphasized, "Not only on trade and tariff issues but on all matters, if he attends and speaks, our people will respond enthusiastically."
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