Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin Kim at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea recently highlighted the volatile situation in the Yellow Sea as a key factor driving discussions on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and increased defense spending by the U.S. and South Korea.
Addressing the inaugural Korea-U.S. Diplomatic Forum at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on the 20th, Kim emphasized that the mutual prosperity of both countries depends on a stable security environment. He said that evolving security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific require a unified response.
Kim said that recent incidents in the Yellow Sea show why this response is necessary. He noted that President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae Myung have committed to modernizing the US-ROK alliance, boosting South Korea’s defense budget, and acquiring advanced capabilities such as nuclear-powered submarines.
Kim praised South Korea as a model ally, highlighting its commitment to self-defense, burden-sharing, and steady support for the continued U.S. military presence on the peninsula.
He described the joint fact sheet released after the recent summit as a landmark document that reflects the depth of US-ROK relations and underscores the close connection between the futures of both nations.
Kim said the two countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in rebuilding and expanding strategic sectors, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. He said the U.S. and South Korea are positioned to move forward together, expand collaboration across key industries, and maintain a stable security environment.
Kim, who previously spearheaded U.S.-North Korea negotiations during the Trump administration, including the historic summit, assumed his current role last month, succeeding Deputy Ambassador Joseph Yun.
In a parallel speech, First Vice Minister Park Yoon Joo also emphasized that the alliance is taking a proactive approach to the unprecedented challenges created by rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain competition.
Park stated that for seven decades, the rock-solid U.S.-ROK alliance has been the cornerstone of regional diplomacy, fostering peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. The partnership has expanded beyond traditional security and economic realms into cutting-edge science and technology.
He highlighted the recent summit’s joint fact sheet as evidence of a comprehensive partnership spanning security cooperation to advanced industries. Park emphasized that this development marks a new era in defense capabilities and reaffirms both leaders’ commitment to denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Park concluded by noting that the rapid elevation of the alliance, despite the new administration’s brief tenure, reflects the pragmatic leadership and personal rapport between the two heads of state. She affirmed that both nations are now set to vigorously implement the cooperative initiatives outlined in the joint fact sheet, ushering in a new chapter of economic and security advancement.
