ICYMI: Senator Kim Emphasizes Importance of U.S.-South Korea Alliance to Building a More Resilient Future

WASHINGTON, D.C.
–
Yesterday while addressing students and faculty with the George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies,
Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ)
uplifted the importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance for ensuring security and economic opportunity in the decades ahead. In his remarks, the Senator emphasized the importance of United States and South Korea cooperation to safeguard vulnerable supply chains and finalize a critical minerals framework to ensure access to rare earth minerals that are essential in pharmaceuticals, defense technology, and tech manufacturing.
WATCH THE SPEECH AND Q&A IN FULL:
Throughout the conversation at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, Senator Kim referenced his
seven guiding principles for American foreign policy
, emphasizing the need to boost preparedness by better understanding the future of warfare as well as the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness between domestic and foreign policy and approaching economic security as national security.
He shared:
“
We should be approaching the economic security of families in America with the same level of vigor that we do when we talk about national security and military security and defense.
I see this country trip over themselves to spend trillions of dollars on wars…but I see nothing that resembles that level of urgency when it comes to addressing the economic security of families here at home.”
During his remarks, Senator Kim specifically outlined three actions Congress must take to strengthen ties with South Korea:
1 – Congress must make clear to our allies and partners that our country is bigger than one man. Congress and the National Assembly of South Korea need to play key roles.
“Though we work on other sides of the world, our work has a common purpose: delivering for our constituents and building a more resilient world.
To me, that starts with building stronger ties between our two bodies – as well we with other critical partners like Japan
…In an age where – especially in the United States – the White House is a place of policy whiplash, Congress can serve as a venue for lasting conversation and collaboration.”
2 – Congress must act to protect our immigrant workers, safeguard universities as a hub of innovation, and develop innovation partnerships with other nations to gain valuable expertise.
“My father, [came here] as a foreign student… to be able to study and engage in incredibly dynamic technology and innovation…My parent’s story – and the stories of so many families that came from Korea to America seeking a better life, is one of resilience. It’s a resilience that we need to get us through this age of anxiety…
If my parents were making the decision to immigrate to the United States today as they did 50 years ago, I don’t know that they would or had been given the immense challenges and obstacles that are now being thrown up by this administration.
”
3 – Congress must push back against this administration’s erratic trade policies that stifle cooperation and scares aware foreign direct investment.
“Access to trade makes consumer goods and groceries more affordable while foreign direct investment provides jobs and opportunity for working class Americans.
I have seen this in my own state of New Jersey. Where over the last twenty years, we’ve seen Korean companies invest nearly $700 million into New Jersey. They’ve created thousands of jobs.”
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