Lee In-young's Unusual Rebuttal to 'Korea-US Cold War Alliance' Expression... US Emphasizes "Comprehensive Cooperation on Security, Human Rights, and Economy"

Minister Lee, "Moving Beyond Military and Cold War Alliances to a 'Peace Alliance'..." U.S. State Department: "Sharing Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law Based on Alliance"
Minister Lee Emphasizes 'Complete, Verifiable, and Irreversible Peace' in Opening Address at Korea Peninsula International Peace Forum

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. State Department has issued a rebuttal regarding Minister of Unification Lee In-young's characterization of the South Korea-U.S. relationship as a "Cold War alliance." It is unusual for the U.S. State Department to publicly take a stance directly opposing the remarks of a foreign minister. Given that the U.S. is urging its allies to participate in building an all-encompassing "anti-China bloc" across economic, security, and political spheres, this response is interpreted as a strong message management from the U.S. side.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department told Voice of America (VOA) on the 4th (local time), "The (South Korea-U.S.) alliance and friendship encompass cooperation beyond security, including economic, energy, science, health, cybersecurity, and the advancement of human rights, covering regional and international issues." This directly contradicts Minister Lee's evaluation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

The remarks targeted by the U.S. State Department were made by Minister Lee on the 2nd during a meeting with Lee Hong-jung, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK). Minister Lee stated that to change the situation on the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean relations must be resolved by the North and South separately from North Korea-U.S. relations, and added, "In this process, at some point, the South Korea-U.S. relationship can transition from a military alliance and Cold War alliance to a peace alliance."

In response, the State Department emphasized that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is based on shared values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. When asked whether they agreed with Minister Lee's perception, a State Department official replied, "Our mutual defense treaty is based on an alliance that shares and strengthens values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

However, at the opening remarks of the "Korean Peninsula International Peace Forum," hosted by the Ministry of Unification and held via remote conference, Minister Lee emphasized "Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Peace (CVIP)" led by the North and South rather than mentioning the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Quoting former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt's statement, "It is better to take a small step forward than to not move at all," he said, "Through small initiatives, we aim to resume humanitarian cooperation and exchange cooperation, restart inter-Korean dialogue, and fulfill the promises one by one."

He added, "The North and South will confirm the possibility of living again as one community through mutually beneficial cooperation," and emphasized, "I believe this can also accelerate the progress of the Korean Peninsula peace process and the broader flow of North Korea-U.S. denuclearization talks."

Regarding the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, he assessed it as a difficult situation where time has stopped for both North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean relations.

Minister Lee said, "Time has stopped for North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean relations, and the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 adds further constraints to resolving the Korean Peninsula issue," adding, "The situation is difficult." Nevertheless, he added, "Waiting for change and adopting a passive attitude will never open the future for the North and South."

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