"Choosing the US Must Serve National Interest," Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk Says; US Responds, "Proud of the ROK-US Alliance"

US Embassy Statement on Ambassador's Remarks "US and South Korea Continue as Allies and Friends"
Embassy Issues Statement Following Criticism of Undermining the ROK-US Alliance
Embassy Explains It Emphasizes the Need to Strongly Sustain the Alliance

Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk is reporting on the work of the Embassy in the United States at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit held at the National Assembly on the 12th. On this day, the audit of the Ambassador to the United States was conducted via video conference to prevent COVID-19. This is the first time in the history of the National Assembly that an audit was conducted through a video connection with overseas diplomatic missions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. Department of State responded to Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk's remark that "choosing the United States 70 years ago does not mean choosing the United States for the next 70 years," stating that "South Korea and the U.S. continue to stand together as allies and friends."

On the 13th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that the U.S. Department of State replied regarding Ambassador Lee's statement, saying, "We are very proud of the 70-year history of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and all that the alliance has achieved for peace and prosperity in the region." The Department added, "The two countries continue to work together based on shared values as allies and friends to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance can confront new challenges, including those who seek to undermine the international order."

At the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's inspection of the embassy in Washington on the 12th, Ambassador Lee stated, "To choose the United States in the future, there must be love and national interest," adding, "It is an insult to the U.S. to say that the South Korea-U.S. alliance must continue just because the alliance was formed 70 years ago, even if there is no love."

There is an interpretation that the State Department's comment reflects discomfort with Ambassador Lee's remarks made during the inspection. As criticism arose, mainly from opposition lawmakers, accusing the remarks of belittling the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the embassy in Washington issued a clarification regarding Ambassador Lee's statements made during the inspection.

In a statement distributed to correspondents that day, the embassy said, "As Ambassador Lee emphasized during the inspection, the South Korea-U.S. alliance is a value-based and comprehensive strategic alliance," adding, "The alliance is based not only on the promise made 70 years ago but also on the shared values and interests of both countries, and therefore must be maintained now and in the future."

The embassy further added, "Ambassador Lee's remarks were intended to emphasize that the South Korea-U.S. alliance has served the national interests of both countries and must be strongly sustained going forward."

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