Korean American lawmaker stresses need to keep Seoul-US alliance strong amid political turmoil in Korea

Rep. Younger Kim (R-CA) speaks through the Korean Struggle Veterans and Armistice Day Commemoration Reception on the Rayburn Home Workplace Constructing in Washington, D.C., July 28, 2023. Yonhap

A Korean American lawmaker underscored the necessity Monday to maintain the South Korea-U.S. alliance robust amid the political turmoil in Seoul, as she described the bilateral partnership as „very important“ for safety within the Indo-Pacific.

Rep. Younger Kim (R-CA) made the remarks in an opinion piece carried by The Hill, a U.S. information outlet, as South Korea is present process a interval of political uncertainty following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched martial legislation try and subsequent impeachment final month.

„The U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance is ironclad and constructed upon our shared values of freedom and democracy, human rights and the rule of legislation,“ Kim wrote, referring to South Korea by its official identify.

„Nonetheless, with the latest political turmoil in South Korea, our financial and safety alliance should stay robust. Regardless of going through one among its best challenges, I think about the democratic dedication of the Korean individuals,“ she added.

The lawmaker stated that the U.S. „should concentrate“ as South Korea is a key ally in maintaining the Indo-Pacific „free and open“ within the face of safety challenges from North Korea and China.

„As rising aggression from North Korea and malign affect from the Chinese language Communist Get together threaten a free and open Indo-Pacific, the U.S.-ROK alliance is extra essential than ever to discourage these threats and promote peace by energy,“ she stated.

Kim argued that whereas media protection has targeted on protests towards Yoon, the photographs of Koreans protesting his impeachment and waving South Korean and American flags have been largely ignored by Western media.

„Whereas the U.S.-ROK alliance enjoys large bipartisan help in the US, factions, together with people who have led the presidential impeachments in South Korea, have been working to undermine the alliance and the U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral partnership,“ she claimed.

The lawmaker went on to say that now’s the time to broaden joint army workout routines, people-to-people exchanges, and intelligence and know-how cooperation, „not again down.“

„The U.S.-ROK alliance should not fall on deaf ears in the US or in South Korea. Stability and true democratic governance in South Korea are critically essential for the US to take care of a peaceable, free and open Indo-Pacific,“ she stated.

„Each Congress and the present and incoming administrations should work to make sure our continued dedication to the U.S.-ROK alliance and a free and democratic South Korea.“ (Yonhap)