"South Korea and Taiwan, Different from Afghanistan" White House's Alliance Reassurance (Update)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Jake Sullivan, the U.S. White House National Security Advisor, stated that President Joe Biden has no intention of reducing U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or Europe. He also emphasized the stance of not abandoning Taiwan, which faces threats from China.

This is interpreted as an effort to prevent allied countries from wavering due to concerns about U.S. betrayal following the withdrawal of troops that led to the collapse of the Afghan government.

At a White House regular briefing on the 17th (local time), Sullivan was asked whether President Biden’s statement the previous day, "We will not sacrifice U.S. troops where it is not in America’s national interest," included South Korea. He replied, "The President has repeatedly said that he has no intention of reducing our troops from South Korea or Europe."

He added that South Korea and Europe have long maintained U.S. troop presence to protect alliances against external enemies even during peacetime, fundamentally different from the situation in Afghanistan.

When asked whether the situation in Afghanistan could apply to Taiwan, Sullivan said, "The situation in Taiwan is a completely different issue from Afghanistan," and stated, "I believe commitments to allies and partner countries must not be violated."

The day before, President Biden sparked controversy by saying, regarding the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, "We will not fight where America’s interests are not involved." Following this remark, concerns grew about the Biden administration’s foreign policy, which has emphasized active interventionism over the isolationism of the Trump administration, under the slogan "America is back."

In particular, concerns were prominent about the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea amid tensions with North Korea, as well as the possibility that the U.S. might halt support for Taiwan amid escalating U.S.-China conflicts.

Conservative U.S. media outlet Washington Examiner also introduced arguments that Taiwan should pursue nuclear armament.

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