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| President Yoon Suk-yeol gives a speech explaining his administration's budget proposal for next year in the National Assembly's main hall on Tuesday. The president highlighted the significance of the Seoul-Washington alliance for the economies and security of both countries at the Korea Times Forum hosted by The Korea Times on Wednesday. Yonhap |
Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho, distinguished guests, congratulations to The Korea Times for hosting the forum titled, "New Challenges for Korea-U.S. Alliance."
I hope today's forum can produce fruitful proposals for how the alliance can become stronger than ever before at this particular time when active debates are underway regarding the role and tasks of the Korea-US alliance.
We are now at a critical watershed moment in which the conventional international order is being forced to change. From here and there around the world, different values and ideologies are clashing. Economy and national security have become integrated, forcing global competition among countries over economic security. The rise and fall of a country hinges on its response to transnational challenges and threats, such as the health crisis, food security, climate change and energy transition.
The global supply chain is the very sector where clashes of national interest are the most evident. Solidarity and cooperation based on mutual trust will ensure the stabilization of the supply chain and, as a result, sustainable prosperity.
In May, I agreed with U.S. President Joe Biden on the vision for forming the "Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance" and, to its extent, expanded our existing bilateral ties based on military security further to the economy and technology. (Being part of a) tech alliance is essential to a country's economic security. Mutual cooperation between the two countries equipped with their cutting-edge technologies and world-class manufacturing industries will be beneficial to both countries' economic growth.
The Korea-US alliance's deterrence of North Korea will be further strengthened, which in turn will help protect the lives and safety of our citizens and serve as a linchpin for peace and prosperity.
During my multiple past meetings with U.S. President Biden, we have worked together to bolster our joint defense system as one of our most important bilateral agendas. The U.S. commitment to extended deterrence to protect South Korea from North Korean provocations has been becoming stronger. South Korea and the U.S. will mobilize every available measure towards an overwhelming, resolute response to all types of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. South Korea and the U.S., during that process, will work as a team to thwart North Korean threats actively and swiftly.
The Korea-U.S. alliance seeks international solidarity based on freedom, human rights and the rule of law.
Our bilateral relationship will try to broaden peace and prosperity further across the global community by expanding freedom, guaranteeing human rights and adhering to the rule of law. South Korea, by investing in an ever-increasing Seoul-Washington alliance, will do its best to meet global expectations. To do so, our country will try to expand our existing bilateral diplomacy, which mostly hinges on cooperation for business development, further to the sectors of the climate crisis, healthcare and medical support and reducing the gap between the two countries' digital technologies.
I believe that all of you who have joined in this event are truly the main actors behind the Seoul-Washington alliance and its strong supporters. I ask for your further support to help the alliance become stronger and develop further.
Once again, I congratulate The Korea Times for hosting the Korea Times Forum on the Korea-U.S. alliance. I hope today's event presents a valuable chance for the two countries to take a meaningful step towards improving their alliance. Thank you.
This speech was read by Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security advisor on behalf of President Yoon. The text was translated by Korea Times reporter Ko Dong-hwan.
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