US Indo-Pacific Coordinator Campbell Appointed... Likely to Urge D10 Including Korea to Pressure China (Summary)

New Office Established in Biden's Next Administration... Direct Reporting to NSC Advisor
Overseeing Asia Strategy Including China

Kurt Campbell, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, appointed as the White House National Security Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific Coordinator
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President-elect Joe Biden has decided to establish an Indo-Pacific Coordinator position within the White House National Security Council (NSC) and appoint Kurt Campbell, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to the role.

According to U.S. media, a spokesperson for the Biden transition team said on the 13th (local time), "We can confirm that Campbell will become the NSC Indo-Pacific Coordinator." The White House NSC Indo-Pacific Coordinator oversees overall strategy for Asia, including China. The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Former Assistant Secretary Campbell will report directly to Jake Sullivan, White House NSC Advisor."

Campbell is an 'Asia expert' who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific during the Bill Clinton administration and as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Barack Obama administration. He was particularly involved in designing Obama's Asia policy, the 'Pivot to Asia.' He also published a book titled Pivot in 2016.

Notably, on the 12th, Campbell co-authored an article titled "How Can the U.S. Strengthen the Asian Order?" in the foreign affairs journal Foreign Affairs, where he mentioned expanding the "Democracy 10 (D10)" and the "Quad," drawing attention. He wrote, "The U.S. will need to be flexible and innovative in building partnerships," and "should pursue tailored or ad hoc coalitions focused on specific issues." He cited the D10 proposed by the UK as an example. The D10 concept adds Australia, India, and South Korea to the Group of Seven (G7). He added, "However, other coalitions could focus on military deterrence through an expansion of the so-called Quad."

The Quad is an informal alliance formed by the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India to counter China. Accordingly, there is speculation that the Biden administration may begin to request South Korea to join after its inauguration.

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