Concerns Raised Over Georgia Detention Incident
Cho Hyun: "I Realize the US Is No Longer the Cooperative Ally It Once Was"
Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated on the 16th that regarding the 350 billion dollar investment fund for the United States, which was decided during the Korea-US customs negotiations, "At the point when the final negotiations are conducted and a conclusion is reached, parliamentary approval may be required."
Prime Minister Kim Minseok is responding to a question from Bae Junyoung, a member of the People Power Party, during the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 16th, where questions on diplomacy, unification, and security were being conducted. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Prime Minister Kim made this remark in response to a question from Bae Junyoung, a member of the People Power Party, who asked during the government questioning session on diplomacy, unification, and security at the National Assembly that afternoon, "Do you think parliamentary ratification is necessary for this 350 billion dollar investment in the United States?"
Prime Minister Kim said, "It's difficult to make a blanket statement," and added, "Even if parliamentary approval is not explicitly required, if it involves imposing a fiscal burden, I believe we should seek and request parliamentary consent through the appropriate process."
Bae Junyoung pointed out, "If you combine the investments in the United States, it amounts to 500 billion dollars, which is 14% of our gross domestic product (GDP). Japan has pledged 550 billion dollars, which is 13.4% of its GDP, and the European Union has pledged 600 billion dollars, which is 3% of its GDP," arguing that Korea's investment scale is excessive.
Bae Junyoung added, "If you divide 350 billion dollars by our population of 51 million, it amounts to 9.4 million won per person."
In response, Prime Minister Kim said, "Since the specific details have not been finalized, I think it would be better to make comparisons after the final agreement is reached."
He further explained, "Because this is a matter that could impose a significant fiscal burden on the entire population, we have been negotiating very closely and persistently without reaching a hasty conclusion."
During the government questioning session, the recent detention of Korean workers in the state of Georgia, United States, was also raised.
Lee Inyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, told Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, "There has been public dissatisfaction that, despite us making the largest investments and creating the most jobs, this is too much from an ally."
Lee Inyoung also commented on the use of chains and ankle cuffs during the detention process of the Korean workers, saying, "This is a clear human rights violation that contravenes even the minimum standards of the United Nations," and urged, "Please convey our concerns to the US government authorities whenever possible and do your utmost to prevent a recurrence."
Minister Cho Hyun responded, "It has been over 30 years since the end of the Cold War, and the international situation is changing. Both Europe and the United States are struggling with immigration issues, and it seems the United States has changed somewhat," adding, "I am realizing that the United States is no longer the country that used to cooperate so well with many of its allies and friendly nations."
He continued, "In this detention case, the US side has actively promised to resolve the visa issue, and we have also strongly pressed for this. Therefore, I believe this could actually become an opportunity to turn a crisis into an opportunity."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
