Biden "Expecting Role in Regional Security"... Could Be a Double-Edged Sword for Moon Administration

In the Biden Era, What Is the Status of Korea-US Relations?
Biden Emphasizes "South Korea as a Key Pillar of Indo-Pacific Security"... Interpreted as Strengthening Alliance to Contain China

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lim Cheol-young] "We were able to confirm the strong will of the President-elect toward a steadfast Korea-US alliance and a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula." President Moon Jae-in evaluated his 14-minute phone call with US President-elect Joe Biden on the morning of the 12th at 9 a.m. in this way.

Although the first phone call between the Korean and US leaders lasted only 14 minutes, the Blue House judged that it was an occasion to reaffirm the deep trust in the Korea-US alliance.

The Blue House is focusing on the experience during the late President Kim Dae-jung's era when the 'Democratic Party governments' of Korea and the US achieved the fruits of peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula. President Moon's statement that "the US presidential election result reflects the public's high expectations for Biden's long government experience, outstanding leadership, and clear vision" is a prelude to political rapport.

President-elect Biden has a high understanding of former President Kim's 'Sunshine Policy' and has accumulated rich experience in diplomacy. He also directly dealt with Korean Peninsula issues during his eight years as Vice President under President Barack Obama. Although the Obama administration was criticized for effectively neglecting Korean Peninsula issues by adopting the 'strategic patience' approach, experts analyze that the Biden era will show a different stance.

Starting with the first call with Biden on the 12th, President Moon is expected to put more effort into establishing common ground on Korean Peninsula issues until the new US administration takes office next year. Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok explained, "After Biden's inauguration, they agreed to meet as soon as possible to have a direct conversation."

While President Moon conveyed congratulations to President-elect Biden and worked to build a close relationship, concerns remain. This is because Biden raised security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. During the call, Biden emphasized, "Korea is a key pillar of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific." This fundamentally expresses the expectation to cooperate closely for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

However, the security blueprint Biden envisions may be a double-edged sword for the Moon administration. While it may emphasize close cooperation to resolve Korean Peninsula issues including North Korea's nuclear problem, it also implies using Korea to check China.

In particular, Biden conveyed in his call with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga that the US-Japan Security Treaty Article 5 applies to the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands). This is interpreted as an extension of efforts to strengthen the Korea-US-Japan alliance to counter China.

The opening of the Biden era in January next year could be an opportunity for President Moon, who is entering the latter half of his term. It could serve as a chance to break the deadlock in North Korea-US talks. The government is focusing on expanding common ground by utilizing networks as much as possible.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who visited the US, is returning home on the 12th after a four-day visit. Minister Kang met with various figures close to the Biden camp to exchange views on managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula. She said, "I met influential figures in Congress and academia close to the Biden camp," and added, "I conveyed the importance of the prompt resumption of North Korea-US talks and emphasized that this issue requires priority attention at the presidential level rather than a top-down approach."

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly urged North Korea to refrain from provocations and accidental actions due to misjudgment during the US administration transition period. At a policy coordination meeting, Kim said, "North Korea's cooperation is necessary until the new policy framework is completed."

He emphasized, "The Kim Dae-jung-Clinton partnership over 20 years ago was the driving force behind the historic first inter-Korean summit and the June 15 Joint Declaration's success," and added, "We hope the Democratic Party partnership between Korea and the US will achieve groundbreaking results in peace on the Korean Peninsula, economic cooperation, and responding to the climate crisis."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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