Congratulatory Remarks by
H.E. Kang Kyung-wha
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Korea Society’s 60th Anniversary Seoul Gala
18 July 2017

Chairman Hubbard,
President Byrne,
Charge d’Affaires Mr. Knapper,
General Brooks,
Ambassador Negroponte,
Chairman Chey,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

I am indeed deeply honored and delighted to be part of this special evening as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Korea Society. If General Van Fleet were here tonight and saw all that the Korea Society has accomplished, I think we can be pretty sure he would be very proud. The fruits of the hard work undertaken by the Korea Society - the strength of the bond between our two countries and peoples - are something all of us witness year after year.

Across different administrations, the Korean government has been proud to partner with the Korea Society over the past decades to promote greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between Korea and the United States. Indeed as Ambassador Hubbard mentioned, I had a chance to take part in the Korea Society’s “Young Professionals’ Network Brown Bag Series” in 2013 when I was working at the United Nations. So I know something about the dedication and passion that the staff and supporters of the Society bring to its many activities, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Indeed, the Korea Society has over the past decades served at the frontlines to enhance the mutual friendship between our countries and peoples through various exchange and cultural programs. And in the recent years, it has expanded its scope and has been hosting policy seminars and media outreach activities, thereby contributing to the U.S. government and people’s understanding of Korea’s policies. So let me take this opportunity to thank the Korea Society for all of its accomplishments over the past six decades.

Thanks to the valuable contributions by supporters such as Chairman Chey Tae-won, this year’s Van Fleet Award winner, and all of you here tonight, the ROK-U.S. alliance has continually evolved in depth and breadth over the past 67 years. Today, our alliance covers a whole range of areas including security, economic, social and cultural dimensions. The alliance has proven to be mutually beneficial and will continue to serve as the linchpin for security, stability, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the Asia Pacific region, and increasingly around the world as expressed in the Joint Statement by President Moon and President Trump in Washington D.C. last month.

Indeed, the recent summit between our two leaders was a timely opportunity to solidify our strong bilateral partnership in all areas. The two Presidents engaged in frank and extensive discussions over about a total of four hours and built a solid foundation for mutual trust and friendship. President Trump noted the “great chemistry,” according to his own words, between himself and President Moon, and expressed his deep respect for our President and the Korean people. Most importantly, President Trump agreed to reciprocate the visit within this year.

On substance, the two Presidents reaffirmed their shared resolve to build an even greater alliance going forward. To enhance coordination on Alliance issues, they agreed to regularize the “2+2” Ministerial as well as the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group meetings. Expeditious enabling of the conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control was another important part of the agreement. In the economic sphere, our two countries pledged to work together to boost economic growth and job creation via various channels including the Commercial Dialogue, Senior Economic Dialogue and the joint public-private forum. Energy, outerspace and defense technology were singled out as areas for continued active cooperation between our two countries.

Last but not least, the two Presidents saw eye to eye on how to address the North Korean problem. They agreed that the North Korean nuclear issue is THE top priority issue; they pledged to achieve complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner; and they also noted that sanctions are a tool of diplomacy and agreed to apply maximum pressure to bring North Korea to the table for denuclearization dialogue. Furthermore, President Trump supported Korea’s leading role in fostering an environment for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. This common stance was also echoed at the ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit which took place on the margins of the G20 Hamburg Summit earlier this month.

Much to our regret, however, North Korea test launched a ballistic missile with intercontinental range only four days after our Presidents reiterated that they stand ready to offer a brighter future for North Korea should it choose to change course. Indeed, Pyongyang has fired nearly one missile per week since the inauguration of the current administration.

My government’s position is clear. As President Moon has outlined in his Körber Foundation speech in Berlin earlier this month, we are ready to embark on a bold and comprehensive journey toward establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and we urge North Korea to travel this road with us. We urge North Korea to stop at once all provocations and realize that denuclearization is the only way to achieve security and economic development - nuclear and missile programs will lead to nowhere but a dead-end. If the North persists with its nuclear and missile programs, it will only face heightened sanctions and pressure from the international community. As President Moon said, now is the last chance for North Korea to make the right choice and also the best time to do so.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The challenges may seem overwhelming but I have unwavering confidence in the strength of our great alliance - the foundation of our diplomacy and security and our shared commitment to tackle any challenge through close collaboration and cooperation. And we have a common goal of building on the successes of the past and realizing the full potential of the alliance for the future.

Above all, I know I can count on the good work of the Korea Society and other friends in the civil society in further strengthening the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. On that note, let me once again congratulate the Korea Society on its 60th anniversary, its hwangap as noted, and wish it another hwangap, sixty more years, of great accomplishment in strengthening the ROK-U.S. ties. Thank you so much. /END/