Speeches and Transcripts
Exclusive Interview with Kathleen Stephens, the U.S. Ambassador to ROK
Ambassador's News Article from Gwangju Ilbo
November 20, 2008
“The Spirit of May 18th in Gwangju Contributed to the Democratic Development in Korea.”
Q. Although it has been a month and half since you arrived in Korea, I feel so familiar with you. Even before you arrived in Korea, people got to know about your special connection with Korea through TV and newspapers. Don’t you have any special connection with Gwangju?
A. The reason why people feel familiar with me is my face appears on media very often (laughter). I worked as Peace Corps Volunteer in Yesan, Chungnam province in 1975, but I have a deep connection with Gwangju and Jeonnam province. When I was working as Peace Corps Volunteer, I traveled to several places in Jeonnam. In summer of 1976, during the summer vacation, I stayed for two weeks in Gwangju to participate in the training for middle school teachers. I vividly remember that at that time, many people recommended Gwangju to me as a city of art and great food.
Yesterday (Nov. 18th) I had a chance to look around the site where the Old Provincial Hall stood and I was a little bit disappointed that the traditional old houses that I remember from the old time are all gone.
Q. As soon as you arrived in Gwangju, you paid a visit to May 18th Cemetery. How did you feel?
A. I was deeply impressed by the spirit of many people who sacrificed their lives for democratization. When I was working as a diplomat in Korea (1984-1989), I visited Gwangju in 1989. At that time, Korea was politically and socially being developed with the direct election of President and the successful hosting of the Olympic Games. Today, as I looked around the May 18th Cemetery, I thought the democratization movements in Gwangju in 1980 contributed to this achievement.
Q. U.S. President-elect Obama repeatedly emphasized direct and aggressive engagement with North Korea by mentioning the possibility of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. North Korea, as if they seem to target the new U.S. administration’s policy, has cut off some channels with South Korea, explicitly isolating South Korea. Therefore, some are concerned about North Korea’s so-called strategy of talking only with the U.S. and ignoring South Korea. What do you think?
A. President-elect Obama has clearly emphasized his commitment to the U.S.-Korea partnership and alliance. The United States will strengthen its relations with South Korea by deepening cooperation on the issues such as the North Korean nuclear issue. I understand that President-elect Obama conveyed the same message in his phone conversation with President Lee.
Q. Then, what is your prospect on the North Korean nuclear issue and the relationship with North Korea in the future?
A. As a President from Democratic Party, the basis in approaching the North Korean issues is the cooperation with South Korea. The basic positions of President-elect Obama and the transition committee are that they support the South Korean government’s efforts on Six-Party Talks. The United States will seek ways of close cooperation with South Korea and other parties to achieve our goal. This also includes measures to make progress on denuclearization. In this regard, I support and respect South Korean government’s restrained and prudent approach to North Korea. The United States will continue to make efforts to encourage the inter-Korean dialogue.
Q. President-elect Obama has argued that Korea-U.S. FTA is badly flawed. In particular, he is showing a protectionist attitude in his effort to help the U.S auto industry. Is there any possibility for Korea-U.S. FTA to be renegotiated because of this?
A. It is a disappointment that Korea-U.S. FTA could not reach to the point of ratification under Bush administration. It was a presidential election year, first in Korea and then in the United States, and now we are facing a severe economic crisis. If the FTA is not ratified in our two congresses this year, I think we have to recognize that the chances are still there, but are not great. The new administration will look at FTA in the context of free and fair trade and environmental and labor protection. Still, the Korea-U.S. FTA is a comprehensive agreement and gets a lot of support in the United States.
This morning, before I came for this interview, I saw on CNN that the heads of GM, Ford, and Chrysler, the big three auto companies, testified before the Senate Finance Committee and asked for the government’s support saying when the auto industry collapsed, the U.S. economy would collapse. Frankly speaking, the U.S. auto industry is related to the future of the U.S. economy, so how this develops will affect the Korea-U.S. FTA.
Q. The Korean government and the ruling party plan to persuade the U.S. Congress after ratifying FTA here first.
A. It is a decision for the Korean government, National Assembly, and the Korean people to make, assessing the national interests of Korea. When Korea will ratify the FTA is an important step. This will send a meaningful signal to the Congress.
Q. The Gwangju American Corner is the sole resource center in Gwangju to provide citizens with information about American politics, economy, culture, and so on.
A. Personally, I regret that the U.S. government closed down many American Cultural Centers and consulates around the world, mostly because of budgetary reasons. For the long term, it is desirable to reopen the consulates and cultural centers, but realistically, it is difficult. Therefore, we will make efforts to expand our exchanges with Gwangju people through Gwangju American Corner.
Q. As of November 17, Visa Waiver Program started, allowing Koreans to travel to the United States without getting a visa.
A. With VWP in place, Korea and the United States will grow closer and people-to- people exchanges between the two countries will be expanded. Through this visit to Gwangju, through the meetings with professors from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and Jeonnam National University, I got to know that many people do not know about Korea-U.S. exchange programs run by the U.S. embassy. In particular, the Fulbright Science and Technology Program run by the U.S. embassy provides science and technology majors with the opportunity to study in the United States. Also, there is the WEST (Work, English Study, Travel) Program, through which people can work, learn English and study in the United States. I hope through VWP, Korea and the United States can get closer.
Q. How did you feel after looking around the Streets of Art which represent Gwangju art?
A. I am so glad to come to Gwangju on the day of the first snowfall. I have been here for just 24 hours and I saw blue sky and snow. I am glad to see the Korean tradition being combined with modern technique. (In Korean), I want to come back to Gwangju as soon as possible and take a close look at how Gwangju people are doing.