Performing US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim pointed to “what has occurred within the Yellow Sea lately” for example of challenges that the US and South Korea should collectively tackle whereas “modernizing” the alliance
First Vice International Minister Park Yoon-joo of South Korea (left) and appearing US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim attend the primary Korea-US Diplomacy Discussion board, held at Lotte Resort Seoul on Nov. 20, 2025. (Yonhap)
Performing US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim said that South Korea and the US ought to perceive that the safety challenges in each the Korean Peninsula and the broader area are “evolving,” and that “we should work collectively to handle these frequent challenges” on Thursday.
Kim pointed particularly to “what has occurred within the Yellow Sea lately,” explaining that the US approval for South Korean nuclear-powered submarines was given to “meet that problem.” Such remarks point out that the US is nudging South Korea to hitch its efforts to maintain tabs on China.
“Our mutual prosperity additionally is determined by a secure safety setting,” Kim said in his keynote tackle on the first Korea-US Diplomacy Discussion board.
“Look no additional than what has occurred within the Yellow Sea lately,” Kim continued. “That’s the reason President Trump and President Lee have agreed to modernize the US-ROK alliance, improve Korea’s protection spending, search new capabilities equivalent to nuclear-powered submarines to satisfy that problem.”
Kim’s remark about “what occurred within the Yellow Sea” seems to be a reference to a number of platforms that China has constructed with out authorization within the provisional measures zone of the ocean.
These feedback are consistent with the remarks made by US Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle, who said that South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarines can be utilized to “counter China” throughout an earlier go to to Seoul.
Kim described South Korea as a “mannequin ally” within the sense that it’s “keen to spend by itself protection, [. . .] shoulder its personal burdens, [and] continues to help a permanent American presence on the Korean Peninsula.”
Kim additionally talked about the joint reality sheet on tariffs and safety introduced by South Korea and the US on Nov. 14, stating, “That historic doc highlights the excellent nature of our relationship, touching each side of the US-ROK alliance.”
“It is a easy recognition that America’s future is determined by Korea, and Korea’s future is determined by America,” he emphasised.
First Vice International Minister Park Yoon-joo additionally touched on the current bilateral agreements in his keynote tackle.
“South Korea and the US’ pursuit of sensible cooperation tasks included within the joint reality sheet will open a brand new chapter in our alliance by contributing to mutually useful financial growth and the achievement of sturdy safety,” Park stated.
By Search engine marketing Younger-ji, workers reporter
Please direct questions or feedback to [english@hani.co.kr]
