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| U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his residence, Habib House, in downtown Seoul, Thursday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
US envoy explains why Washington disappointed at Tokyo
By Kang Hyun-kyung
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim said Thursday that his country is fully engaged in East Asia and will remain so, disputing some observations that Washington vacillates between its two allies and estranged neighbors, Korea and Japan.
""It's not often that we, the U.S. government, express our disappointment openly and publicly about our close ally," Kim said during an interview with The Korea Times at his residence, Habib House.
"We did then because we felt very strongly about what happened," he said. "We recognize the pain and anger here in Korea and understand that there are deep painful issues from the past. We hope that those issues get addressed satisfactorily."
Kim was referring to the U.S. reaction to nationalistic Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit in December to Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the remains of 14 Class A war criminals.
Abe and other Japan officials deny misdeeds such as sexual slavery committed by its imperial army, and continually make territorial claims on Dokdo, Korea's easternmost islets.
The first Korean-American to hold the post emphasized the U.S. alliance with Korea as well as Japan.
"We care deeply about the relations between our two close allies, Korea and Japan," he said. "It is important to distinguish, however, how we might approach the situation as opposed to us playing a mediator role. I mean we care very deeply about this region."
Worsening Seoul-Tokyo relations have prompted some observers here to call on Washington to play a mediator role. Their rational is that its two key allies in East Asia squaring off won't help the U.S.'s East Asia strategy of having a stronger presence in the region.
He emphasized that President Barack Obama's visit to Korea in April would be his fourth, a number he says reflects the degree of importance Washington puts on the ROK-U.S. alliance.
"I don't think he has visited any other foreign capital that many times," he said.
Kim, who moved to the U.S. at age 10, didn't reveal whether any last-minute lobbying by the Korean government played a role in Obama's visit.
The summit will be "very productive," he said. "There will be discussion about a wide range of issues, bilateral, regional as well as global issues," he said. Kim declined to preview details of the summit.
On unification, Kim said the U.S. government has always supported peaceful unification of the two Koreas. "(It) reflects the aspirations of all Korean people, including North Korea. We welcome President Park's focus on unification," he said.
"I think it will be wonderful someday if the two Koreas are unified. Tremendous potential is there. I believe very strongly that a unified Korea will mean more stability and more prosperity, and that's something that should be welcomed by all countries in the region."
Ambassador Kim made the remarks when asked if he believed the international community, including China and Japan, is ready to cooperate with South Korea to achieve unification.
Regarding his service as U.S. ambassador to Korea, Kim said he felt great to have served in this country.
"This has been an amazing assignment. To have this opportunity to manage this special partnership (between the United States and Korea) is a huge honor for any diplomat, especially for a Korean-American."
He referred to LG's plan to purchase China's Huawei telecommunication hardware despite U.S. senators' concern about a breach of security, saying that it should be left to the decision of firms involved. But he said he understood the company involved had reduced its purchase.
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