The need for the U.S. and South Korea to promote our shared values andstrengthen our trade partnership is more important than ever.
This year marks 70 yearssince the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in theaftermath of the Korean War, creating the alliance between the UnitedStates and the Republic of Korea.
The US-ROK alliance is based on our sharedvalues of freedom and democracy, human rights and the rule oflaw. While much has changed over the past 70 years in both countries, theUS-ROK alliance has remained committed to democraticvalues, innovation and entrepreneurship to each country’s economies.
Our shared values are why the US-ROK alliance hasbecome one of the longest economic and security alliances. In today’s 21stcentury economy, and as we see growing aggression from NorthKorea and malign influence from the Chinese Communist Party(CCP) threaten a free and open Indo-Pacific, the need topromote our shared values and strengthen our trade partnership ismore important than ever.
Strengthening free trade with our like-minded partnersis essential for our shared values to prevail and to maintain a worldbased on freedom instead of suppression.
South Korea emerged from devastation in the aftermathof the Korean War to becoming one of the U.S.’s largest trading partnersand an invaluable ally in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. TheUnited States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), now ten years old, markedthe “gold standard” for trade agreements globally and has greatly strengthenedour bilateral economic partnership over the past decade. One decade later, thisagreement has room for improvement and should reflect our changing economiesand interconnected world.
I am constantly looking for ways to further enhancethe US-ROK economic partnership that is fair and mutually beneficial. Koreancompanies are undoubtedly an important part of ensuring the CCP does notcontrol our semiconductor, electric vehicle, healthcare, and other criticaltechnology supply chains.
The United States and South Korea should treat eachother as the strong partners they are and leverage the FTA to expand ourrelationship and benefit both of our countries. The alliance is at itsstrongest when it is fully leveraged in all areas, from strengthening freetrade to supporting freedom and security.
As an immigrant from South Korea, one of the firstKorean American women elected to the United States Congressand Chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, I am especiallyproud of the close ties between our two countries. I will continue workingtirelessly to strengthen our alliance and traderelationship.
Let us mark the 70th Anniversaryof the US-ROK Alliance by reaffirming our commitment to this vital partnership.I am confident that, with our shared history and common vision, the US-ROKalliance will continue to thrive and play a critical role in advancing peace,prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.
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