열린장관실

Dr. 김병준,

Acting Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries,

Dr. John Hamre,

President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies,

Distinguished Speakers and Guests,

(전경련-CSIS 공동좌담회 평가)

Thank you for inviting me to speak at this special event.

I wish my schedule had allowed me to join you in person.

Let me start by saying how meaningful it is that the FKI and CSIS have teamed up to organize this Forum.

Economic issues are assuming greater strategic and geopolitical import, and vice versa.

The partnership between Korea’s leading business organization and the US’s top strategic think thank couldn’t have come at a better time.

I thank Dr. Hamre and Dr. Kim for their leadership.

As you all know, this year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the R.O.K.-U.S. Alliance.

Many events will be held throughout the year to commemorate our seven-decade-journey together.

(한미동맹의 현주소)

The 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty - the foundational document of the R.O.K.-U.S. alliance - emerged from the crucible of the Korean War.

The negotiations between President Syngman Rhee and President Dwight Eisenhower that led to the signing of the treaty were far from easy.

But the arduous efforts that went into the treaty have been more than vindicated.

Our treaty-based alliance has stood the test of time for seven decades.

As a military and security arrangement, it proved essential to meeting Korea's pressing security needs.

To this day, the alliance continues to serve as the linchpin of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

Over time, our ties also gradually moved above and beyond the security domain to encompass the economic field.

The ironclad alliance ensured that the “Miracle on the Han River” could unfold in a safe and secure environment.

Korea's trade and investment ties with the United States burgeoned over the decades, culminating in the signing of the KORUS FTA in 2007.

President Syngman Rhee's foresight in 1953 proved exactly true.

He noted after the Mutual Defense Treaty was concluded:  “The Treaty will bring tremendous benefits across many generations.  It will enable us to enjoy prosperity.”

The great news is that there is still more to come.

Seven decades later, Korea and the United States are taking our partnership to new heights.

We are evolving into a Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance.

It is ‘global’ because our collaborative reach

is no longer confined to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, but spans the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

It is ‘comprehensive’ because the contours of our partnership cover not only military security,

but also economic security, cutting-edge science and technology, people-to-people exchanges.

It is ‘strategic’ because we share a commitment to safeguarding the rules-based international order built on universal values.  

Last week, Korea and the United States showcased how global, how comprehensive, and how strategic our alliance has become.  

Korea co-hosted the Second Summit for Democracy, together with the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and Zambia.

Korea also led the Indo-Pacific Session.

During the Summit, leaders from more than 70 democracies committed to revitalizing an international rules-based order.

They also resolved to support countries around the world that adhere to the values of freedom and democracy against threats to undermine them.  

President Yoon Suk Yeol and President Joe Biden announced that Korea will host a third Summit.

This is but one snapshot of what a Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance can do.   

(한미 경제안보·기술동맹의 의의)

We are living in a world where technology and innovation power are fast becoming key determinants of geopolitical competition and national security.

Countries are striving to gain the upper hand in cutting-edge sectors – be they artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear energy, cyber domain, biotechnology or space exploration.

Tackling supply chain disruptions and building resilient, stable global supply chains have become priorities for all.

Korea and the U.S. are in this together.

We are cooperating to maintain the lead in cutting-edge technologies, to make supply chains more resilient, and to develop relevant international rules and norms.

Let me highlight some key aspects.

First, promoting critical and emerging technologies.

Korea and the U.S. are working together to help develop advanced technologies and promote the exchange of experts and knowledge.

The revised Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation that I recently signed with Secretary Blinken in Washington, offers a useful vehicle for collaboration in the fields of AI, biotechnology and quantum computing.

Space is another frontier in our expanding partnership.

Korea has joined the Artemis Accords - a U.S.-led framework for cooperation and exploration.

This year, we also plan to hold the R.O.K.-U.S. Space Forum, aimed at further enhancing cooperation on space.

Second, building resilient supply chains.

By tapping into extensive private and public partnership networks, Korea and the US are working together to create a mutually beneficial supply chain ecosystem.

Korean companies are building state-of-the-art chip fabrication and EV battery plants in the U.S., generating tens of thousands of jobs along the way.

Moreover, we are linking our two countries’ Early Warning Systems on supply chains and collaborating on initiatives like the Mineral Security Partnership.

Third, developing international rules and norms.

As traditional rules and norms cannot simply be transposed to emerging areas, we are closely cooperating to shape international norms for the new era.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a prime example.

As founding members of the IPEF, our two countries are working to set new rules and norms regarding supply chain disruptions and the digital transformation.

(한국의 글로벌 역할 확대)

In advancing this new partnership, Korea is determined to pull its weight.

Korea’s “Global Pivotal State,” - or GPS – vision represents our commitment to redefine and recalibrate our role and responsibility in the world.

We will embrace greater responsibilities with a focus on promoting freedom, peace, and prosperity.

As the 10th largest economy, a leader in innovation and technology, and a soft power magnet, Korea stands shoulder to shoulder with the G7 in terms of its capacity and readiness to contribute.

The Yoon administration unveiled the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” last December.  

This provides a concrete roadmap for proactively stepping up our engagement beyond the Peninsula, to the region and the world.

(민관 협력의 중요성)

Yet, this vision for the alliance cannot be achieved by our governments alone.

Public-private cooperation is indispensable for translating this vision into reality.

We need to act as one team.

Entrepreneurs, businesses, scholars, experts - each and every one of you help lift our partnership to new heights.

Your ideas and actions are what drive our relationship forward, make it vibrant, and keep it alive.

(국빈 방미 의의 / 지지 당부)

In three weeks’ time, President Yoon Suk Yeol will pay his first State Visit to the United States.

President Yoon is the first leader in the Indo-Pacific to have welcomed President Biden’s visit.

He will also be the first leader in the Indo-Pacific to pay a State Visit to the U.S. in the Biden administration.

What better way to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of our great alliance.

The Korea-U.S. alliance is special because it has consistently adapted itself to the unfolding challenges of the times.

“Alliance in Action toward the Future” - the theme of the upcoming visit - encapsulates this forward-looking spirit.

The visit will seek to deliver tangible results:

to the benefit of our businesses and our citizens,

to the security of our people from North Korea’s incessant provocations,

to the resilience of our supply chains,

to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies and cooperation in new frontiers.

We would not have come this far without the support of everyone here.

So thank you for your steadfast support for the Korea-U.S. Alliance.

I wish this Forum every success.  Thank you.   /END/