Young Kim: "Taiwan Dispute Threatens Korea... Importance of US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation"

Young Kim (R), a Korean-American congresswoman and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, stating on the 19th (local time) that South Korea would also face threats from North Korea in the event of a Taiwan conflict. She opposed the redeployment of U.S. forces in South Korea in preparation for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, calling it a "big mistake."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During a discussion at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington that day, when asked about her stance on the redeployment of U.S. forces in South Korea in the event of a Taiwan conflict, Kim said, "It is clearly a big mistake to neglect Taiwan and withdraw any support."

She stated, "The Taiwan issue is important. This is a matter of democracy," adding, "Xi Jinping will not stop at Taiwan, and (in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan) all other countries in the Indo-Pacific will be at risk. China is aiming for hegemony over the entire Indo-Pacific." She pointed out that this would be a problem not only for the U.S. economy but also from a national security perspective.

Regarding South Korea's position on the Taiwan issue, she said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol is a very pragmatic person and a realist," and evaluated that "South Korea and Japan have shown quite similar positions on the Taiwan issue." Kim explained, "In Japan's case, since it borders China by sea, it must respond to China's threats," and diagnosed, "South Korea will face immediate threats from North Korea, so maintaining security on the Korean Peninsula is the highest priority." She continued, "We live in an era where events overseas immediately affect the entire world," and emphasized, "I am very pleased that South Korea and Japan have agreed to cooperate against China's threats despite their long-standing historical conflicts."

Kim expressed concern, saying, "We need to demonstrate U.S. leadership that strongly defends our alliances," and added, "Our allies in the Indo-Pacific region are economically dependent on China and face economic coercion. U.S. engagement is important, but the U.S. is not showing up."

Regarding the upcoming South Korean general election and the U.S. presidential election this year, she said, "Regardless of the election results, we will continue to support Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific," and stated, "No matter who occupies the White House, maintaining relationships with our friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific region will remain the highest priority."

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