US Applies Comprehensive Pressure for Participation in 'Anti-China Economic Bloc'... Ambassador Harris Also Urges Korea to Join

Economic Prosperity Network and Blue Dot Network Participation Mentioned
Secretary Pompeo Announces "U.S. Troop Redeployment to Counter Chinese Military"
Deputy Economic Minister Kurak Compares China to Bully, Emphasizes Alliance Solidarity
Japan's Ministry of Defense Establishes Director-Level Indo-Pacific Department

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, recently urged participation in the anti-China economic bloc "Economic Prosperity Network (EPN)," which the U.S. administration has expressed strong intentions to actively promote. Amid ongoing U.S.-China disputes, this appears to be a comprehensive pressure campaign for South Korea's involvement in the 'anti-China' economic initiative. With U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach also making statements targeting China, the dilemmas faced by allies and partner countries including South Korea are expected to deepen further.

On the 25th (local time), Ambassador Harris delivered a keynote speech on the second day of the "Korea-U.S. Strategic Forum 2020," held online by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Korea Foundation (KF). He stated, "The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has shown that the U.S. and the global economy are overly dependent on a single country's suppliers," adding, "The U.S. administration is working to reform and improve this excessive dependence."

Ambassador Harris's remarks are widely seen as reflecting the atmosphere within the U.S. administration that is openly pressuring participation in the EPN, a U.S. anti-China economic bloc concept designed to counter China amid U.S.-China conflicts, as well as the Blue Dot Network (BDN), which aims to increase investment and trade in cooperation with allies as an extension of the Indo-Pacific strategy against China's Belt and Road Initiative (一?一路, Ilcheong Ilro).

He emphasized, "If we promote the establishment of reliable industrial infrastructure through an alliance network including South Korea, we will be in a much better and more stable position than before COVID-19," adding, "Close cooperation is needed in the Indo-Pacific region on maritime, cyber security, infrastructure project financing, and there will be many opportunities."

Secretary of State Pompeo and Under Secretary Krach also reiterated calls for anti-China solidarity. All current U.S. administration officials have stepped forward to exert double or triple pressure to build an international coalition targeting China. Secretary Pompeo, during a virtual discussion at the Brussels Forum hosted by the German Marshall Fund, commented on President Donald Trump's decision regarding the redeployment of U.S. troops in Germany, saying, "We will appropriately position U.S. forces to respond to the Chinese military," and "This is a challenge of our time, and we will ensure resources are prepared for it." He reiterated the possibility of redeploying U.S. forces to the Asia region under the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Under Secretary Krach likened China to a "bully" and stressed alliance-level solidarity and unity against China. In a telephone conference with Asian media, when asked whether the U.S. has measures in place if China retaliates against countries participating in the EPN, he said, "We have all encountered bullies. Bullies retreat when faced with difficult situations," adding, "They back down when all your friends are by your side." On the 5th, Krach formally requested the South Korean government to support and participate in the EPN, and the day before, he again urged participation in the EPN during the Korea-U.S. Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) at the director-general level.

Meanwhile, according to Sankei Shimbun, Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to reorganize its International Policy Division, responsible for international exchanges, into two divisions as of the 1st of next month, establishing a new department at the director level to oversee work related to the U.S. Indo-Pacific initiative. This is interpreted as a decision made to actively respond to U.S. demands.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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