Ruling and Opposition Parties Share Expectations and Concerns About Trump Administration... "Strengthening the Korea-US Alliance" (Comprehensive)

Concerns Over South Korea-U.S. Alliance and Retaliatory Tariffs Amid U.S. Isolationism and America First Policy
Ruling and Opposition Parties Meet Key Figures After Attending President Trump's Inauguration
Representative Kim Eun-hye Explains South Korea's Contributions to U.S. Officials During Individual Visit

On the 21st, both ruling and opposition parties expressed expectations for strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance with the inauguration of the second term of the Donald Trump administration, while also voicing concerns over America's America First trade policy and preparing countermeasures. Amid security crises such as North Korean provocations and Russian troop deployments, the Trump administration's choice of isolationism has prompted reaffirmation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and preemptive measures to block disadvantages from trade policies.

According to political circles on the 21st, the official National Assembly delegation visiting the U.S. to attend President Trump's inauguration?including Kim Seok-ki, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and member of the People Power Party, as well as Kim Ki-hyun, Yoon Sang-hyun, In Yo-han of the People Power Party, and Cho Jung-sik, Kim Young-bae, Hong Ki-won of the Democratic Party?plans to meet key Republican figures to discuss Korean Peninsula policies.

Yonhap News

Earlier, the official National Assembly delegation watched the inauguration ceremony live via real-time broadcast at the Capital One Arena near the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., and also attended official inauguration events such as the Liberty Inaugural Ball.

Both ruling and opposition parties, defining the launch of the Trump administration as an "era of great transformation," have begun reaffirming the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trade issues through contact with U.S. counterparts, due to the possibility of rapid changes in Korean Peninsula security amid the administration's isolationism that avoids involvement in foreign wars and conflicts.

There are also concerns that if President Trump, who has declared a strengthening of protectionism, imposes retaliatory tariffs on South Korea?which recorded the largest trade surplus with the U.S. last year?South Korea could face economic shocks following political shocks such as martial law situations and impeachment.

The official National Assembly delegation plans to meet with key figures such as Senator Chris Van Hollen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Young Kim?former co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Korea Caucus and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee?former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Fred Fleitz, deputy director of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI).

The People Power Party has formed its own diplomatic delegation centered on lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Kang Min-kook, Cho Jung-sik, and Kim Dae-sik, who were invited by the U.S., to meet with key members of both houses of Congress and the Republican Party in the U.S. On the 19th, the People Power Party's delegation met with John Mark Burns, a special advisor and close aide to President Trump.

On the 21st and 22nd, the delegation plans a series of meetings with key Republican figures including Senator Ted Cruz, co-chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Korea Subcommittee, and Representative Young Kim.

Na Kyung-won, Kang Min-guk, Jo Jeong-sik, Kim Dae-sik, and other members of the People Power Party's delegation to the United States attended President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on the 20th (local time). Photo by Na Kyung-won's Office

After listening to President Trump's inaugural address, Representative Na posted on Facebook, "The establishment of the Customs Collection and Foreign Import Agency heralds the dawn of a new era of protectionism. High tariffs, the abolition of electric vehicle subsidies, and the imposition of universal tariffs will seriously damage the export competitiveness of our companies." He added, "The North Korean nuclear issue is becoming more serious. President Trump referring to Chairman Kim Jong-un as a 'Nuclear Power' signals de facto recognition of North Korea as a nuclear state and the possibility of direct negotiations."

In another post, Representative Na stated, "We will build a solid communication channel with President Trump's close aides and key members of both houses of Congress and the Republican Party to develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance beyond security and economic cooperation into a value alliance that protects liberal democracy and the rule of law together."

The People Power Party delegation is also seeking a meeting with President Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. Representative Kim Dae-sik said in a CBS radio interview that they plan to meet Trump Jr. around the day after tomorrow if possible before returning.

Representative Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party visited the U.S. individually to attend President Trump's inauguration. She explained on Facebook that "the start of the second Trump administration is both a crisis and an opportunity for Korea and the U.S., strategic partners in advanced industries such as shipbuilding, nuclear power, and semiconductors, and it is a time when active and proactive cooperation between the two countries is urgently needed."

She added that she met key figures from the Trump administration, think tanks, and experts in diplomacy, security, and trade at the Capital One Arena, and "explained South Korea's contributions and roles as an ally."

On the 20th (local time), Representative Kim Eun-hye, who attended President Trump's inauguration, met and greeted Megan Kelly, a conservative figure from Fox News. Photo by Representative Kim Eun-hye's Office

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