[한국계 美하원의원, 한미동맹 70주년 특별기고]
Michelle Park Steele, U.S. Representative (Republican, California District 45)
… First woman of Korean descent to enter the U.S. Congress
My parents had to leave North Korea and escape to South Korea, leaving everything in their hometown to escape the communist system during the Korean War. Born in Korea, after graduating from elementary school, I moved to Japan with his parents and spent my middle and high school years. At the age of 19, shortly after leaving for the United States to attend college, his father passed away, longing for his hometown. Left behind, my mother immigrated to the United States with her two younger brothers and opened her own small clothing store, and I graduated from college helping her mother.
As one of the first female Asian congressmen to enter the U.S. Congress in 2021, I take great pride in my Korean-American roots. Most of all, I am proud to continue to play a role in advancing the ROK-US relationship, which benefits both countries.
The two countries, Korea and the United States, have shared values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and have had a long history of trusting each other. And this year marks the historic 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance. President Seok-yeol Yoon visits Washington, USA in April to meet with US leaders, including President Joe Biden. It is hoped that this meeting will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. mutual commitment to promote peace in both countries.
Peace can be maintained when there is a strong power to keep the peace. Strong economic security for the development of both the United States and South Korea can make the relationship between our two countries even stronger in the fight against regional and global threats. To this end, efforts should be made to sustain the growth of the two countries’ economies through increased trade between Korea and the United States. In 2020, Korea is the sixth largest trading partner of the United States, with a trade volume of 127.2 billion dollars (approximately 167.36 trillion won).
South Korea is a very important country to the US supply chain. The United States and South Korea should do everything possible to expand trade. In particular, the two countries were able to enjoy economic development thanks to the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force in March last year, which celebrated its 10th anniversary. Now, even in the process of promoting FTAs with other countries, the two countries must maintain strong partnerships.
Korea and the United States can only become stronger when they come together. We must stand together with any force that threatens democracy and freedom, including authoritarian states. Authoritarian states are the greatest threat to world democracy. We must work together to ensure that authoritarian states do not continue their efforts to encourage encampment and acts of aggression against free nations.
North Korea’s increasing stockpile of nuclear weapons and missile tests should not be left unchecked. Cooperation between the two countries to protect South Korea and the United States from any North Korean attack is essential for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
I will continue my efforts to create strong and tangible results for the ROK-US relationship. Authoritarian states are the greatest threat facing democracy, and when South Korea and the United States work together, we can ensure peace not only in Asia but also around the world.
Together, the US and South Korea Can Stand Strong for Democracy
My parents fled North Korea during the Korean War, forced to leaveeverything behind to escape an evil Communist regime. I was born in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and spent much of my childhood in Japan. When I was 19 years old, I moved to the United States with my family to attend university and help my mother open and run two small businesses in Southern California.
Many years later, I became one of the first Asian American women to become a member of Congress. I am so proud of my heritage and my identity as Korean American, and I am glad to continue promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between the US and South Korea.
Our two nations have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust based on ourshared values in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and this yearmarks the 70th anniversary of that alliance. Korean President YoonSuk Yeol will visit Washington, DC in April to meet with US President Joe Biden and other US leaders. I am looking forward to the talks that will takeplace to further our mutual commitment to promoting peace in the region.
Peace is best achieved with strength, and nothing will put ournations in a better position to combat aggression by bad actors than the strength of healthy economies. We must be sure that both our economies continueto grow, and trade continues to thrive. In 2020, Korea was the US’ sixthlargest trading partner with $127.2 billion in two-way goods traded. In California, Korea is the state’s fifth largest trade export destination. Korea is vital to U.S. supply chains and we must continue to ensure trade is encouraged howeverpossible. Both countries are in a better economic situation thanks to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and we should continue this partnership as we look to other regional free trade agreements.
Together we can grow and stand strong against any threat to democracy and freedom, including authoritarian states. Authoritarian states are the greatest threats to global democracy. We must stand strong to ensure the authoritarian states cannot continue their campaign of aggression towards free nations and their work to enable ourenemies. North Korea’s unhinged behavior, including their recent stockpiling of nuclear weapons and missile testing, cannot be taken lightly. It is vital thatwe encourage extended deterrence by ensuring both the United States and Koreahave what they need to protect themselves from any form of attack from NorthKorea.
I am proud to continue to promote a strong and fruitful relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea. The CCP is the greatest threat facing democracy and only together can we ensure peace, not only in Asia, but across the world.
Michelle Park Steel, Congresswoman Representing California’s 45th Congressional District
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.