US: South Korea's Participation in Clean Network is a Key Pillar of Economic Future

Introduction to the Results of the Korea-US High-Level Economic Consultations Emphasizes Ban on Participation in Huawei
SKT and KT, Which Do Not Use Huawei Equipment, Rated 'Clean'
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Does Not Mention Clean Network Consultation Details

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] "'The Korea-US economic partnership, including the protection of 'clean 5G infrastructure,' will serve as a linchpin guaranteeing a peaceful and prosperous economic future."

The United States, led by Keith Krach, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, has openly pressured South Korea to participate in the 'Clean Network' aimed at building an anti-China front.

Lee Tae-ho, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, is speaking at the 5th Korea-US High-Level Economic Consultation held via video conference on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th (local time), the US State Department distributed reference materials explaining the results of the 5th Korea-US Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) held via video conference on the 14th, emphasizing the necessity of participating in the Clean Network, unlike the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The material unusually begins with Under Secretary Krach's remarks pressuring participation in the 'Clean Network.' The State Department placed the remarks of Lee Tae-ho, South Korea's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the chief representative, alongside Krach's, but the focus remains on the Clean Network.

The document states, "The United States believes it is important for South Korea to participate in the 'Clean Network' for its national security."

The Clean Network is a policy aimed at excluding products from Chinese companies, such as Huawei, which the US deems untrustworthy, from 5th generation (5G) communication networks. The US has recently demanded this not only from South Korea but also from Western countries including Europe and Southeast Asian nations.

In the material, the State Department specifically named KT and SK Telecom as domestic telecom operators that have adopted the Clean Network. The US side has previously cited these two telecom companies as good examples and is known to have demanded LG Uplus, which uses Huawei equipment, to stop using Huawei.

The State Department also mentioned, "The United States emphasized to South Korea the importance of ensuring 5G networks are free from untrusted suppliers."

The State Department further emphasized, "The United States is requesting all allies and partners, including South Korea, to participate in using the 5G Clean Path not only for domestic network security but also for diplomatic facilities." The emphasis on the use of the 5G Clean Path for diplomatic facilities is particularly unusual.

Earlier, after the 5th SED, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already revealed that the US requested South Korea's participation in the Clean Network but did not mention 'Clean Network' at all in its press release. Conversely, the State Department's material devoted a significant portion to emphasizing South Korea's participation in the Clean Network.

At the time of the meeting, South Korea reportedly explained the US position by stating, "Whether a mobile carrier uses a specific company or not is a matter decided by private companies under relevant laws."

Additionally, the State Department paid attention to the potential cooperation mediated by South Korea's New Southern Policy and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. The State Department evaluated, "Both strategies recognize that a free and open Indo-Pacific is essential to the future of the global economy."

The term "free and open Indo-Pacific" is used by the US to counter China, which has led to interpretations that it also reflects expectations of South Korea's role in the anti-China front.

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