Yoon Emphasizes Achievements in U.S. Visit: "Establishing Five Pillars of Security, Industry, Science, Culture, and Information"

Live Broadcast of the Cabinet Meeting Opening Remarks
Introducing the Achievements of the US State Visit to the Public
Emphasizing Thorough Follow-up Measures to Cabinet Members

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized that the strengthened Korea-US alliance through his recent state visit to the United States has established five pillars?security, industry, science and technology, culture, and information alliances?on the cornerstone of a "value-based alliance," and that through mutual synergy, a "forward-moving, action-oriented Korea-US alliance" will be realized.

At the Cabinet meeting held at 10 a.m. at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon stated, "The Korea-US alliance is not a convenient contractual relationship that meets and parts according to interests, but a just alliance contributing to world peace and prosperity." The Cabinet meeting remarks were broadcast live. It is seen as an effort by President Yoon to directly communicate the outcomes of the Korea-US summit while emphasizing a greater sense of responsibility among Cabinet members.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon first evaluated the recent state visit to the US as "an opportunity to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, reflect on the history the alliance has walked so far, and present a blueprint for the future direction of the alliance."

Regarding the summit’s greatest achievement, the "Washington Declaration," he mentioned accomplishments such as the implementation plan for "Korean-style extended deterrence," the establishment of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), and maintaining an overwhelming deterrence posture through the regular deployment of US strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. He stressed, "It is important to concretely implement the Washington Declaration through information sharing, joint planning, and joint execution regarding the operation of US nuclear assets in the future," and evaluated that "the Korea-US security alliance has been upgraded to a new nuclear-based paradigm through the Washington Declaration."

On the science and technology alliance, he said, "The Korea-US science and technology alliance is expanding its scope from semiconductors and batteries to emerging technology fields such as clean hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and small modular reactors (SMR)." He emphasized, "When the US’s core fundamental technologies meet Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, it will create a great synergy beneficial to both countries." He also mentioned that the newly established "Next-Generation Core and Emerging Technologies Dialogue" between the National Security Councils (NSC) of both countries will serve as a control tower to establish strategies for advancing the Korea-US technology alliance. Referring to a total investment attraction of $5.9 billion in advanced industries and the signing of 50 memorandums of understanding (MOUs), he predicted, "Investment by US companies in Korea will continue to expand."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, he introduced his experience observing the development process of advanced industries at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), emphasizing, "We must also identify priorities for future new technology development, concentrate national research and development (R&D) funding on promising research teams and institutions, and systematize a Korean-style public-private-academic joint venture model that drives private investment." He also highlighted the joint statement adopted by Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and NASA during the Korea-US summit, stating, "It will elevate bilateral space cooperation to the level of a space alliance."

He introduced government investments to strengthen cultural and human exchanges between the two countries. The newly launched "Korea-US Youth Special Exchange Initiative" will establish a joint fund of $60 million by both countries to promote youth exchanges in STEM and humanities and social sciences fields. He also mentioned that the number of students eligible to participate in the WEST program, which allows them to stay in the US for up to 18 months to work and study English, will be expanded from 2,000 to 2,500 annually.

To visibly realize the achievements derived from the US state visit, President Yoon urged Cabinet members to actively engage in follow-up work. He requested, "Please take meticulous follow-up measures so that the Korea-US alliance, expanding from security to industry, science and technology, and culture, becomes a greater platform of opportunity for the youth and future generations." Earlier, at the senior secretaries’ meeting he presided over the previous day, President Yoon had instructed thorough follow-up measures, saying, "The Korea-US summit is significant in that it expanded the alliance in all aspects including security, industry, science and technology, education, and culture." He also emphasized that as the Yoon Suk-yeol administration marks its first anniversary on the 10th, the government must do its best for Korea’s freedom and innovation. President Yoon urged, "Let us all join forces to make Korea a prouder country full of freedom and innovation."

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