Blinken’s Visit to South Korea: Keeping the U.S.-ROK Bond Strong Amid Global Tensions

Blinken’s visit to South Korea amid Middle East tensions demonstrates the importance of U.S.-ROK relations

On the 1st (local time), Ambassador Jo Hyun Dong stated, “In light of the emerging connections between North Korea and Hamas, and the evidence of illicit arms trade between Russia and North Korea, South Korea, and the U.S. will strengthen diplomatic efforts to curb North Korea’s violation of UN Security Council resolutions in cooperation with like-minded countries.”

The Ambassador made this statement at a press conference held at the Korean Culture Center in Washington D.C., stating, “We are firmly responding to the potential for further provocations from North Korea, such as the so-called satellite launch, in the face of increasing uncertainty in the international political situation.” Before this, the National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that North Korea’s third satellite launch was in its final stages of preparation.

South Korea and the U.S. are reportedly on high alert to find out what North Korea has provided in return for the weapons it received from Russia. However, the government believes it is difficult to link North Korea’s announced third satellite launch with Russian satellite technology.

Ambassador Jo stated, “Close cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats is ongoing,” citing the docking of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan in Busan last October and the first landing of the U.S. strategic bomber B-52H in South Korea as examples of expanded deterrence.

Regarding U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken’s visit to South Korea on the 8th and 9th, the first since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk Yeol government, Ambassador Jo said, “Secretary Blinken’s visit to South Korea, a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region, despite his extremely busy schedule dealing with various global issues, especially the Middle East conflict, and his subsequent visit to Israel later this week, shows the importance he places on the relationship with South Korea.”

Regarding the outlook for U.S.-China relations, Ambassador Jo said, “Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the U.S. heightened expectations for a U.S.-China summit during the APEC summit to be held in San Francisco this month,” adding, “We are interested in how the strategic competition between the U.S. and China will unfold.”

On the U.S. Department of Commerce’s indefinite postponement of regulations on the importation of U.S. semiconductor equipment into the Chinese factories of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix by designating them as Validated End Users (VEU), Ambassador Jo said, “This reduces the uncertainty related to the operation and investment of our semiconductor companies in China and is expected to enable them to explore long-term global business strategies.”

By. Yoon Hong Woo