Minister Kang Kyung-hwa: "Close Cooperation with New US Administration Amid Complex Situation... 'Korean Peninsula Peace' Urgent Alliance Task" (Comprehensive)

Keynote Speech at the Aspen Institute Security Forum in the US
Expression of Expectations for the 'Summit for Democracy' Proposed by President-Elect Biden
"Expectations for Cooperation in Health Security, Climate Collaboration, Democracy, Science & Technology, Space, Cybersecurity, Non-Proliferation, and Counterterrorism"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed her expectations for the "Summit for Democracy" that President-elect Joe Biden of the United States announced he would hold after taking office next year. She stated her confidence that progress can be made through close cooperation with the new U.S. administration despite the complex situation caused by competition among major powers. She also reiterated that the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace are the most urgent tasks for the alliance.

In her keynote speech at the Aspen Security Forum in the U.S. on the 11th, Minister Kang cited the spread of democracy as an area for cooperation with the new U.S. administration, saying, "Korea, having blossomed democracy with the help of the U.S. in the past, succeeded in quarantine by upholding democratic principles such as openness, transparency, civic participation, and innovation even amid the COVID-19 situation." She added, "We believe we can also contribute to the holding of the 'Summit for Democracy' proposed by President-elect Biden during his election campaign."

The Aspen Security Forum is an annual diplomatic and security forum held by the Aspen Strategy Group in Aspen, Colorado, USA. This year, due to COVID-19, video meetings with key figures were held throughout the year, with past attendees including National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. At this event, which was broadcast live online, Minister Kang held a Q&A session for about 45 minutes following her keynote speech with Nicholas Burns, Director of the Aspen Strategy Forum (former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs), and the audience.

Minister Kang then emphasized her confidence in making progress through close cooperation with the new administration to achieve the goal of complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. She said, "Achieving the goal of complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula requires focus, patience, and courage, as well as cooperation with neighboring countries such as China, Japan, and Russia." She added, "Despite the complex situation caused by competition among major powers, I am confident that progress can be made through close cooperation with the new U.S. administration."

She also mentioned the phone call between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Biden, the passage of resolutions supporting the Korea-U.S. alliance by both countries' legislatures, and the public support for bilateral relations, stating, "We will closely cooperate with both the current and new U.S. administrations for the future development of the Korea-U.S. alliance."

She also evaluated that the Korea-U.S. alliance has developed into a more reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship. Minister Kang explained, "As Korea's national power and international status have increased, it has expanded its bilateral and multilateral roles, thereby further developing the Korea-U.S. alliance." She added, "Korea continues to expand its contributions by participating alongside the U.S. in the Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars, anti-piracy activities, and peacekeeping operations, while also bearing defense cost-sharing, constructing the Pyeongtaek U.S. military base, and maintaining the highest level of defense spending relative to GDP among U.S. allies."

In particular, she said, "We were able to closely consult on current issues such as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing. Although we started from different positions and have not yet reached an agreement, the defense cost-sharing agreement is a priority issue to be discussed first with the new administration, and we hope to discuss it in relation to strengthening the alliance."

Minister Kang continued, "Economically, mutual dependence and integration between Korea and the U.S. have deepened, especially through the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has strengthened the alliance." She said, "Along with increased trade volume, economic cooperation is expanding into various fields such as information and communication, innovative technology, and energy, and Korean companies' investment in the U.S. created 52,000 jobs last year alone." She also conveyed that through linking the New Southern Policy and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, cooperation with ASEAN countries is ongoing in various fields such as development cooperation, infrastructure, energy, and human resource development.

She reiterated her views on the Korea-U.S. alliance-based peace process on the Korean Peninsula. She mentioned that the Korea-U.S. alliance has great potential to further promote peace, security, and prosperity at regional and global levels, and that the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace are the most urgent tasks for the alliance.

She said, "The two countries have closely cooperated in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile development, achieving an agreement among the leaders of South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S. on the complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula." She reaffirmed the government's willingness, stating, "Our government is ready to resume dialogue with North Korea, and our proposals for cooperation on COVID-19 response and humanitarian aid remain valid."

Additionally, she expressed hope to cooperate with the U.S. on various global issues such as health security, climate cooperation, democracy, science and technology, space, cybersecurity, non-proliferation, and counterterrorism. Minister Kang introduced, "From the early stages of the COVID-19 response, the two countries have closely cooperated by sharing information, providing medical equipment and diagnostic kits, and mutually opening borders." She added, "By combining Korea's successful quarantine experience with U.S. leadership, the two countries can lead global health security cooperation."

She continued, "Korea's 2050 carbon neutrality declaration and Green New Deal align with President-elect Biden's vision on climate change,"

expressing expectations for U.S. global leadership on climate change response and bilateral cooperation, while requesting active U.S. participation in the P4G Summit to be held in Korea next year.

Meanwhile, Minister Kang expressed a negative stance on the possibility of six-party talks. She explained, "While multilateral talks can be considered, what North Korea wants can only be provided by the U.S."

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