'US Deputy Assistant Secretary Emphasizes "Anti-China Solidarity": "The ROK-US Alliance is the Linchpin of Indo-Pacific Strategy... Perfectly Aligns with New Southern Policy"'

Naper Deputy Assistant Secretary: "US Has Invested in Korea for Decades... China's Investment Share in Korea Only 3%" Highlighted
Emphasizes Trilateral Cooperation Among Korea, US, and Japan

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Mark Napier, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, reiterated the necessity of an anti-China alliance, stating that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is the "linchpin" of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

On the 2nd, during a virtual speech on the second day of the "South Korea-U.S. Alliance Peace Conference" held at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, Napier said, "The Indo-Pacific region is currently and will continue to be the greatest driver of global economic growth," adding, "The United States believes this strategy perfectly aligns with President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy."

He continued, "South Korea and the U.S. are now family, not just allies," and added, "There is a strong will to further develop this relationship to face various challenges of the 21st century."

In particular, he emphasized trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to address North Korean issues. Napier stated, "The United States plans to continue pursuing bilateral or trilateral security cooperation with South Korea and Japan," and said, "The three countries can specifically address North Korea's nuclear and missile threats based on their common denominator."

Regarding recent high-level exchanges between South Korea and Japan, he evaluated them as "encouraging discussions to address differences in positions," and expressed hope that "the two countries find a way to build a constructive and productive relationship."

He then added the argument that South Korea's participation in the anti-China alliance is necessary. Napier said, "Although China is South Korea's number one trading partner, it is forgotten that the United States is the second," and emphasized, "The U.S. is the second-largest direct investor in South Korea," adding, "Over the past decades, American companies' investments have contributed to the development of South Korea's largest and most important industries, from consumer goods to aircraft." He further stated, "The U.S. accounts for 15% of all foreign investment in South Korea, while China’s share is a mere 3%, making China incomparable to the U.S."

Earlier in the day, Robert Abrams, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, said in his congratulatory remarks, "If South Korea and the U.S. stand together, I believe all threats from North Korea can be deterred," and Defense Minister Suh Wook, in his invited speech, mentioned, "We will continue to pursue the transfer of wartime operational control through conditions to realize responsible defense befitting the Republic of Korea’s status and to establish stronger combined defense capabilities."

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