Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Stevenson: "The ROK-US Relationship is Resilient"

Korea Society's New Chairman Inaugurated
Avoids Comment on Controversy Surrounding Harry Harris, Current U.S. Ambassador to Korea

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Kathleen Stephens, former U.S. Ambassador to Korea and newly appointed Chairperson of the Korea Society, stated that although the South Korea-U.S. alliance is currently in an unusually tense situation, it remains resilient as a "linchpin." However, she refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the current U.S. Ambassador to Korea, Harry Harris.

Kathleen Stevens, the new Chairperson of the Korea Society.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 30th (local time), Chairperson Stephens held an inauguration commemorative meeting at the Manhattan office and said, "The South Korea-U.S. relationship is a very strong alliance, but it is true that it is under tension amid changing geopolitical circumstances surrounding the Korean Peninsula," adding, "The geopolitical uncertainty is greater now than in 1989, when the Cold War ended. This is a very unusual time."

She stated, "It is not strange that there is tension in the South Korea-U.S. alliance," and emphasized that "the South Korea-U.S. relationship is broad, deep, and resilient," highlighting that it is an alliance that does not easily waver. She further suggested that broad and open discussions should take place to develop the alliance, including North Korea policy.

Regarding the criticism of current U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris within South Korea, Chairperson Stephens expressed a cautious stance. She said, "I understand Ambassador Harris is faithfully performing his duties," and added, "I am not well informed about recent developments."

However, she mentioned, "I have seen media reports dealing with Ambassador Harris's racial background, especially his (Japanese) mother," and stated, "That is unacceptable."

Chairperson Stephens was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Korea in 2008 and served for about three years. She was the first female U.S. Ambassador to Korea in the history of the State Department and is fluent in Korean.

Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea and earned the Korean name 'Sim Eun-kyung,' she is recognized as a prominent pro-Korean figure in U.S. diplomacy and currently serves as the President of the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) in Washington.

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