The Republic of Korea remains a vital and longstanding strategic ally of the United States. In order to strengthen the cooperation between both countries, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin signed an amended version of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Science and Technology Agreement:
“Today’s agreement will expand the scope of that cooperation, both in areas that we’ve long worked together on like space but also in emerging fields like biotechnology, quantum, artificial intelligence. Scientific cooperation is just one of many areas where our nations are working together to the benefit of our populations.”
The United States and South Korea continue to have enduring security ties, said Secretary Blinken:
“We reaffirmed our commitment to improving our allied defense against common threats, as well as our commitment to defending the Republic of Korea using the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities . . . We remain committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait:
“We’re increasing our trilateral security cooperation with Japan, which puts us on stronger footing to address shared security threats, including the DPRK’s unlawful and reckless missile launches. . . .We’re also deepening our trilateral collaboration on other security challenges, as well as on helping Pacific Island countries adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.”
We’re working with other countries to advance joint priorities, like boosting inclusive economic prosperity through the Indo-Pacific and beyond, including through the Indo-Pacific Framework for Prosperity and the Minerals Security Partnership.
The U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance extends well beyond the Indo-Pacific. Since President Putin invaded Ukraine, the U.S. and the Republic of Korea have stood together, along with other allies, to impose unprecedented sanctions and export controls designed to deprive Russia’s war machine of resources, as well as to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their country.
This October we’ll celebrate the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance. “For the past seven decades, our alliance has indeed sustained peace,” declared Secretary Blinken. “I’m confident that we’ve taken another step toward a more secure and prosperous future to the benefit of the people of our countries, of the Indo-Pacific, and of the world.”
