People Power Party "Lee Soo-hyuk, Ambassador to the US, Should Apologize for Remarks Damaging the ROK-US Alliance"

Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk is taking the oath as a witness during the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the Embassy in the United States on the 12th. The audit of the Embassy in 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 has been conducted through a video connection with an overseas diplomatic mission. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Members of the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee issued a statement on the 13th regarding Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk's remarks during the virtual audit at the Korean Embassy in the U.S. on the 12th, criticizing them as "comments damaging to the ROK-U.S. alliance" and stating that "such remarks cannot be tolerated from the perspective of national interest."

During the audit, Ambassador Lee said, "Because we chose the U.S. 70 years ago, do we have to choose the U.S. for the next 70 years as well?" and "We choose the U.S. only if it serves our national interest." In response, the U.S. State Department indirectly rebutted by saying, "We are proud of the 70-year history of the ROK-U.S. alliance."

In response, the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs Committee members stated, "The ROK-U.S. alliance is not simply a selective means based on profit calculation but a global value alliance that has shared peace and prosperity," adding, "If the administration focuses solely on inter-Korean cooperation and a declaration of the end of the war at the expense of belittling the past and present of the ROK-U.S. alliance and neglecting to prepare for its future, the value of the alliance and our national interest will be severely damaged."

They further said, "Ambassador Lee should explain and apologize to the public and the National Assembly for his remarks that have damaged the ROK-U.S. alliance and harmed national interests," and urged, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should clarify whether the ambassador's incorrect remarks represent the official position of the ministry, sternly warn the ambassador who is leading the disparagement of the ROK-U.S. alliance, and take strong measures if such incidents recur."

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