Washington, D.C. – Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) emphasized the importance of maintaining strong U.S. alliances with South Korea, Japan, and regional partners such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), regardless of domestic policy changes.
“The current administration has an incredible opportunity to strengthen trilateral relations between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan,” Kim said on February 25. “Our relationships with South Korea, Japan, the Quad, and ASEAN must remain strong, irrespective of shifts in domestic policies.”
As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, Rep. Kim made these remarks while presiding over a subcommittee hearing focused on U.S. policy in the region.
Kim highlighted the persistent threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party and the North Korean regime, stating, “These threats have not disappeared, and neither should the U.S. commitment to our key allies in the Indo-Pacific region.”
She also underscored the potential of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), introduced by the previous administration, to deepen economic cooperation in the region. “Our subcommittee will use every tool available to ensure the U.S. remains a proactive and committed economic partner in the Indo-Pacific,” she vowed.
Addressing North Korean Human Rights Abuses
Rep. Kim also raised concerns about North Korea’s human rights violations, criticizing Kim Jong-un’s regime for its continued oppression of the North Korean people.
“Kim Jong-un continues to steal from his people, subjecting them to torture, forced labor, and unlawful acts,” she stated. “We must remain committed to advancing human rights in North Korea.”
U.S.-Korea Economic Cooperation
Highlighting South Korea’s contributions to the U.S. economy, Kim pointed to Hanwha Group’s acquisition of the Philadelphia Shipyard as an example of allied cooperation. “Allies like South Korea are taking meaningful steps to support the U.S.,” she said. “Hanwha’s investment will provide shipbuilding expertise in the U.S., and we must ensure that such cooperation aligns with our national security and industrial interests without compromising American innovation and competitiveness.”
U.S. Policy Review on North Korea and China
The Indo-Pacific subcommittee hearing was the first of its kind in the 119th Congress and aimed to assess the Biden administration’s regional policies while evaluating the potential direction of Trump administration policies.
Meanwhile, during a separate Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Stephen Feinberg, the nominee for U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, expressed concerns over North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile programs.
“North Korea is intensifying efforts to expand its illegal nuclear weapons program while enhancing its ballistic and cruise missile capabilities,” Feinberg said. “We must take action to prevent the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear and missile arsenal.”
When asked about measures to counter North Korea’s growing military capabilities, Feinberg stressed the importance of missile defense (MD) systems. “Improving our missile defense systems, particularly those protecting the U.S. homeland, is crucial in addressing the North Korean threat,” he said.
Feinberg also acknowledged China’s growing military ambitions, including its plans to complete preparations for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027. “I agree that China represents the most comprehensive and serious threat to U.S. national security,” he asserted.
BY HYOUNGGU KIM [kim.hyounggu@joongang.co.kr]
