[한국계 美하원의원, 한미동맹 70주년 특별기고]
In the next 70 years, the path the ROK-US alliance should take
Andy Kim, U.S. Representative (Democratic Party, New Jersey District 3)
… 3rd Korean member of the House of Representatives for the first time in 26 years
The 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance is a monumental event in world history. Together, South Korea and the United States are building a nation stronger than ever. It supported technologies and innovations that changed the world, and made remarkable achievements in educational and cultural cooperation, including art and entertainment consumed around the world. Of course, we have been together for the sake of global security. The ROK-US alliance is a strong alliance that the world envy.
Now, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance, we must recommit to further strengthening and developing the alliance. The next 70 years will present significant challenges with the potential for remarkable growth. The challenge the world is most concerned about is South Korea’s neighbors, and the ROK-US alliance must remain strong and determined.
For innovation to lead the next era, the two countries need large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturing. Korea and the United States should take the lead in reducing carbon emissions and present a successful model for this. They must also work together to build a supply chain of raw materials and parts that is safe from global crises and external dependence. We must also work together to build capabilities to protect the data that is the lifeblood of the global economy.
The ROK-US alliance is essential for the next 70 years to be positioned as an era of peace rather than conflict. There are many uncertainties about the future moves of many countries in the Indo-Pacific region. However, South Korea and the U.S. can become an axis of stability in the region by confronting it with determination. To this end, strengthening ties with Japan and other partners and building a strong coalition must be a top priority.
The 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance is a moment of great emotion for me personally. I am the son of Korean immigrants. This year marks the 50th anniversary of my parents immigrating to the United States. That legacy runs in the blood of me and my children. I am a product of the interconnectedness of Korea and the United States, and the story of my life and the lives of more than one million Korean Americans would not have been written without the partnership between the two countries.
Let’s reflect for a moment. It is thanks to the exchange relationship established between the peoples of the two countries that South Korea and the United States have achieved groundbreaking achievements in technology and security and have become the most successful strategic alliance. The strength of the ROK-US alliance is to foster talented people who can create together.
We can nurture a new generation through strong ties between the Korean and American peoples. In the next 70 years, the ROK-US relationship will develop through mutual respect and shared growth, not through war. To this end, it is suggested to seek ways to strengthen educational and cultural exchanges and business partnerships. Through exchanges like these, we can come together to celebrate the richness of our two countries and expand our understanding of each other to build a stronger sense of community.
In particular, we need to focus on Korea-US youth exchange. The younger generation did not experience the Korean War and the Cold War that led to the mutual connection between Korea and the United States. For them, the two countries need to re-establish the gravitational pull on each other. Korea and the United States have a special relationship, but this should not be taken for granted. As a son of Korea and the United States, I want to do my best to serve as a bridge between Korea and the United States. I look forward to being with you along the way.
The 70th anniversary of the strategic partnership between South Korea and the United States of America is a profoundmilestone globally. Together we have built both our nations stronger than ever before. We have helped each other innovate and create world-changingtechnology. Our cultures have collaborated and produced extraordinary achievements in arts, entertainment, and education that are consumed in allcorners of the globe. And we have worked together to keep our nations and the world safe. We now have a powerful relationship that is the envy of the world.
But where do we go from here? As we celebrateand mark 70 years, let us recommit ourselves to push further and grow ourpartnership over the next 70 years. The next seven decades will bring extraordinary growth potential but also significant challenges. And once again, many of the world’s biggest concerns are right in South Korea’s neighborhood. TheU.S.?Korea alliance must maintain its strength and resolve.
Innovation will drive this next era. Yes, that means that both nations need to commit to making big investments intechnologies like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. The US and Korea can and should lead the way in decarbonizing over the next 70 years and show how this transition can happen responsibly and successfully. We can also work together to take charge in building a supplychain of raw materials and components that can allow us to be resilient and tosafeguard us from dependencies and global shocks.
As data further becomes the lifeblood of global commerce, our nations can support each other and our partners to keep upwith our ability to secure this information. We can lead the way on cybersecurity practices and safeguarding our citizens from threats. We can work together to lift up cybersecurity across the Indo-Pacific region where securepractices remain a challenge to implement widely. This regional architecturefor tech and data security will help on a number of fronts and keep our nationsat the forefront of commerce and national security.
Our nations will also be integral to ensuring the next 70 years are decades of peace rather than conflict. There are a lot of uncertainties about how different nations in the Indo-Pacific will act and whatactions they will take. But the US and Korea can stand with resolve and be apillar of stability. Strengthening regional ties to Japan and other partnernations are vital to this effort and must be prioritized as a robust coalitionis critical.
As we reflect on the large geostrategictectonic plates that have moved in the last 70 years, I am also movedpersonally by this milestone. I am a son of Korean immigrants. This year also marks about 50 years since my parents made the trip to America. My heritage runs in my blood as it does in my children. I am a product of the interconnectedness of our two nations. My story, and the story of over one million KoreanAmericans, would not have happened if not for this partnership between nations.
I ask us to reflect on this for a moment. While our nations have made extraordinary achievements in technology and security, what makes this strategic alliance most successful is our people and the relationships we built between them. Our strength is our talent and what we can create together.
We can do more to foster a new generation of strong bonds between our citizens. Our relationship over the next 70 years willnot be born out of war but rather through mutual respect and shared growth. Iask us to look at ways to increase educational exchanges, businesspartnerships, and cultural offerings. Through these connections, we can come together and create greater understanding that will build a stronger sense of community and celebrate the richness of our nations.
In particular I want us to focus on connecting the youth of our nations. They did not grow up with the aftermath of the Korean War or Cold War driving interconnectedness. We have to re-establish the gravity that pulls our nations together. We have a special relationship and we shouldn’t ever take it for granted. As a son of both lands, I will do everything I canto serve as a bridge and foster deeper connection. I hope to work with many of you to get this done.
Andy Kim, Congressman Representing New Jersey’s 3rd 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.