'Make KorUS Great Again': PM urges deeper Seoul-Washington ties
Speaking at a policy seminar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Kim emphasized the Lee Jae Myung administration's commitment to a deeper strategic alignment with the US.
'I understand the efforts of the US to pursue a stronger nation, a stronger economy and a better treatment of American workers, regardless of whether it's under President Trump's term or not,' Kim said in his keynote speech, titled "Make KorUS Great Again."
'But I can say with conviction that the US will become even stronger when it works with Korea, when it works with Korea efficiently and maintains a proper partnership with Korea that is in line with the realities of the 2020s.'
Reflecting on his past as a student activist during the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and his education in the US, Kim said the two countries are bound by a shared democratic foundation, constitutional values, people-to-people exchanges and future technologies.
'What we have in common is the shared experience of people who understand the importance of a constitution. A country that values its constitution is one that shares the value of democracy,' he said.
Kim also stressed long-standing cultural and human exchanges between the two countries, saying they are "deeply rooted to the level of assimilation.'
Going forward, Kim laid out key industries for bilateral cooperation under the government's ABCDE strategy ― artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cultural content, defense and energy ― which Kim said he coined during the presidential campaign.
'Across all of these sectors, we are confident that we can develop a complementary relationship with the US together as we navigate the changing landscape of global economics and security.'
Kim also raised the hope that US President Donald Trump could play a role in bringing North Korea back to the negotiating table and for peace on the Korean Peninsula, beyond resolving ongoing tariff issues.
On tariffs, however, Kim remained optimistic, saying that "there is still a lot of time left" to find a resolution. 'There is a lot to do and a lot of issues," he said. "All will be sorted out when we look at the essence and the future of the issue."
At the seminar, Joseph Yun, charge d'affaires at the US Embassy in Seoul, reiterated Washington's commitment to an 'ironclad alliance' with Seoul, grounded in defense, shared value and deep economic ties.
Still, Yun pointed to the US' $1.2 trillion trade deficit last year and a projected $1.8 trillion fiscal deficit as reasons it seeks to see its allies take on greater responsibilities.
'These are enormous amounts and they must be reduced if we are to have balanced economic relations,' Yun said on the US trade deficits.
The US is spending about $1 trillion in defense annually, and the deficit is not sustainable, added Yun. 'So the US is asking our allies to do more. This is a request to all NATO partners in Europe and also to all our allies in Asia, of course that includes South Korea, Japan and Australia.'
In his opening remarks, James Kim, chair and CEO of AmCham, also touched on the ongoing tariff negotiations and the ways that the two countries can cooperate.
'As we navigate ongoing tariff negotiations between our two nations, we see tremendous opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance shared economic goals,' said Kim, noting that member companies in shipbuilding, aerospace, energy and technology are leading the way in strengthening strategic partnership.
'At the same time we recognize the importance of addressing Korea's unique regulations in order to foster a more balanced and a sustainable trade dynamic industry,' he said. "As a result, we launched the AmCham 'Buy America' campaign in partnership with our member companies to enhance visibility and accessibility of US products.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Russia to launch first Moscow-Pyongyang direct flights in decades: report
Russia was set to start operating direct passenger flights between Moscow and North Korea's Pyongyang for the first time in about three decades, Reuters reported Sunday. The inaugural flight, operated by Nordwind Airlines, is scheduled to depart from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow at 7 p.m. (local time), marking the first regular air connection between the two capitals since the mid-1990s, Reuters said, citing Russia's RIA state news agency. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a seating capacity of 440 passengers, Reuters said, adding that tickets started at US$563 and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights of the route twice a week, though the schedule will begin with one flight per month for now "to help build stable demand," the report said. Until now, the only direct air route between the two nations was Air Koryo's service from Pyongyang to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. The move came as the two countries have sought to strengthen bilateral ties following Russia's war with Ukraine in 2022. In June, the two nations also resumed passenger rail service between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Saluting the sacrifice of UNC veterans
Five foreign veterans of the United Nations Command who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War were greeted with a standing ovation from a crowd of over 1,000 at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, where a ceremony was held to mark UN Forces Participation Day, observed annually on July 27. The national day of remembrance to honor the sacrifices and contributions of UN veterans also marks the date when the armistice agreement was signed to halt the Korean War in 1953. Throughout the three-year conflict, more than 1.9 million personnel from 22 countries served under the UNC flag, providing combat, medical and logistical support. During the ceremony, the South Korean government posthumously presented the Order of Taegeuk Military Merit, the country's highest military honor, to the late US veteran Fred McGee. From January to November 1952, McGee served in the US Army as a private first class with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok entered the venue pushing the wheelchair of a veteran who had difficulty walking. 'Our alliance has grown stronger, and together we will continue moving toward a future of peace and prosperity,' Kim said during his speech. 'Despite the sacrifices made by the UN forces and our own efforts 75 years ago, the pain of division still lingers,' he added, pledging to expand scholarship programs and exchange camps for the descendants of Korean War veterans.
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Pro-Yoon lawmaker quizzed in special counsel probe
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, a lawmaker of the conservative People Power Party, was quizzed Sunday by investigators looking into influence-peddling allegations against Kim Keon Hee, former President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife. The five-time lawmaker, who was considered one of Yoon Suk Yeol's leading supporters, appeared for questioning at the office of the special counsel leading the investigation. Asked about his stance on claims he had helped Yoon and Kim interfere in the party's nomination process for a National Assembly by-election, he said he would "faithfully cooperate with" the investigation. His questioning follows a search and seizure operation to raid his home and his office at the National Assembly on July 8. The 62-year-old lawmaker, who led the People Power Party's candidate nomination for a June 2022 parliamentary by-election, was allegedly involved in arranging for the People Power Party to choose Kim Young-sun as candidate for a legislative seat representing a constituency in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. The constituency was considered a right-wing stronghold, and Kim was nominated by lawmaker Yoon to run for the by-election as the candidate for the People Power Party. Kim won the election and served in the National Assembly until May 2024. About a month before Yoon's botched martial law attempt, the Democratic Party of Korea revealed in late October a recording of a phone conversation between the former president and Myung Tae-kyun, who was a political consultant for the ex-president during his presidential campaign. In the phone call, Yoon, who won the presidential election in March 2022, told Myung that he had insisted to Rep. Yoon that Kim Young-sun be chosen to run for a parliamentary seat. Myung, who ran an election polling and forecasting company, said he would "never forget kindness." The phone call was recorded just before Yoon was inaugurated in May 2022, according to the Democratic Party. A separate probe by the prosecution in December indicated that Kim had wired some 80 million won ($58,000) in 11 installments in 2022 to Myung, in violation of the Political Funds Act. Both Kim Young-sun and Myung were held awaiting trial for about five months but were released in April. The criminal court cases against them are ongoing. While appearing for questioning Sunday, Yoon declined to answer a reporter's question over whether he had a discussion with the former president about candidate nominations.
