Speeches and Transcripts
A Future Vision of U.S.-ROK Relations
Remarks at the Korean Institute of Defense Analyses (KIDA)
Defense Forum Breakfast
by
Alexander Vershbow
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
December 21, 2007
Seoul Plaza Hotel
Thank you General Kim Choong-Bae (KIDA President) for inviting me to speak at this KIDA Defense Forum breakfast, and at the first session to be held here at the Seoul Plaza Hotel – I hope I can compete with this spectacular view!
I am honored to have this opportunity to address a room full of such distinguished and influential opinion-shapers. I must say I am looking forward to an enlightening Q&A session following my remarks.
This has certainly been an eventful time in South Korea. Of course, the thing on everyone’s minds this week has been the Presidential election. My congratulations to Lee Myung-bak on his decisive victory. My earliest memory of Presidential elections in the United States is 1960, when John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon by only a tenth of one percent of the vote; in that election, Nixon actually carried more states, but under our electoral-college system, Kennedy won nonetheless. Ever since that dramatic Presidential race, I have always looked forward to the thrill of the election season, whether in the United States or abroad. Let me say that, having watched your campaign, from the primaries up to Wednesday’s vote, I am very impressed by how Korea has built such a vibrant and robust (or should I say raucous?) democratic system in just a few decades.
The tragic oil spill off the coast in Taean has captured our attention as well. I was very proud to see a team of experts from the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration working side-by-side with their Korean counterparts to discuss how to contain and clean up after the spill. I was also impressed with the outpouring of volunteer assistance that came from everyday Koreans who offered their time and effort to clean up the spill sites; our experts were amazed to see the great deal of progress these volunteers had made, with little more than ingenuity and elbow grease. My thoughts – and everyone’s at the U.S. Embassy – are with these volunteers who have worked so hard to protect South Korea’s natural environment, and with the scores of people in the Taean area whose livelihoods have been affected by the spill.
The title of this meeting of the Defense Forum is: “A Future Vision of U.S.-ROK Relations.” That is a particularly apt subject at this juncture in our alliance relationship, and for this time of year. The holiday season naturally lends itself to some careful reflection and thoughts ahead for the New Year – even when there isn’t a transition to a new government underway. But first, I would like to take a moment to reflect back on what we have accomplished together over the last year. Then I’ll give you my thoughts on how we can move forward in 2008 and beyond.
I’m sure you would agree with me that the U.S.-ROK alliance is strong. Our alliance is a partnership with a long and distinguished history. It is fundamentally important to our mutual interest in securing peace on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Northeast Asian region as a whole. Even when disagreements arise – as they inevitably will from time to time – our close consultations and strong mutual commitment to our alliance always help us find consensus on the best way to accomplish our goals.
Over the past year, we have together accomplished quite a bit indeed. The United States and the Republic of Korea worked closely to achieve significant progress toward the denuclearization of North Korea under the auspices of the Six Party Talks. It was just over a year ago when the North tested a nuclear device, in defiance of international efforts to curb nuclear proliferation. At the time of the test, the United States and South Korea, as well as our international partners, pulled together not only to impose sanctions on the North for its provocative behavior, but to reinvigorate the search for a diplomatic solution through the Six Party process.
The February 13 “Initial Actions” Agreement was the first fruit of this effort, and implementation has proceeded well in the course of the year. This summer, thanks to our hard work, the DPRK shut down its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and, in accordance with October 3 “Second Phase Actions” Agreement, it has made considerable progress in disabling them. I am optimistic that we will complete the current phase, which calls for the complete disablement of the DPRK’s facilities at Yongbyon and provision of a complete and accurate declaration of all North Korean nuclear programs and materials, soon. We may not meet the end-of-year deadline, but I think we will get there in the end. Of course, we still have a long way to go to achieve the ultimate goal of complete denuclearization; but I think we should be quite encouraged by the significant progress we have made.
Another big accomplishment during 2007 was the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, or KORUS FTA, signed on June 30. It is Korea’s largest FTA ever, and the largest FTA for the United States in 15 years. For Korea, the FTA is expected to boost GDP by six percent over the coming decade, expand exports, and create up to 340,000 new jobs, while enhancing Korean competitiveness in the American and global markets. For the United States, the FTA makes it easier for U.S. companies to invest, sell and buy in Korea and demonstrates that we are committed to compete economically in the region.
For the U.S.-ROK alliance, the FTA represents yet another extremely robust layer of interconnectedness. It demonstrates our shared commitment to build on our defense ties and expand the relationship into new areas. We hope the legislatures of both countries get 2008 off to an auspicious start by ratifying the FTA at the earliest opportunity, so that the people of the United States and Korea can start enjoying its benefits. (To that end, we hope we can reach agreement very soon on the full opening of Korea’s market to imports of American beef, based on international scientific standards.)
We have also cooperated closely to bring Korea into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Hundreds of thousands of Korean citizens travel to the United States every year – to study, for business reasons, or to visit friends or family members. With the passage of key legislation this summer, we have moved closer to the day when South Korea can join the Visa Waiver Program, so that all of you can go on more frequent golfing vacations or shopping trips in the United States. When VWP membership comes, it will further strengthen the economic, cultural and personal ties between our two countries that make this relationship so special.
The Alliance: Fundamental and Evolutionary
Now I’d like to comment in more detail about the U.S.-ROK security alliance, a particularly close and successful partnership that is the foundation of our wider bilateral relations. The tremendous progress we have made this year has convinced me of two important aspects of this alliance.
- First, that the U.S.-ROK security alliance remains fundamentally important to both our countries;
- Second, that while support for the alliance in both countries remains strong, those of us who manage the alliance have recognized the need to transform it so that it responds appropriately to the changes on and around the Peninsula and reflects South Korea’s increasing prominence on the world stage.
In short, the security alliance between our countries remains fundamental, but it must also evolve with the times.
Fundamental to Peace and Security
I say the alliance is fundamental, because it is abundantly clear that it remains of key importance to both our countries. Our national security interests continue to be remarkably well-aligned. Just last month, our two defense chiefs met in Seoul for the 39th Security Consultative Meeting known as the “SCM” and reaffirmed the central role of the alliance and our mutual commitment to deterring the threat posed by potential North Korean nuclear aggression.
Senior U.S. and Korean officials frequently affirm that both our countries are committed to the peaceful denuclearization of North Korea through the Six Party Talks, which could open the way to normal relations with Pyongyang and the eventual signing of a permanent peace regime. We also support continued dialogue between North and South Korea as a way to reduce tensions and improve economic conditions for the long-suffering North Korean people. Both these processes – the Six Party Talks and inter-Korean relations, will need to be closely coordinated as we move forward.
Of course, our common interests also extend far beyond the Korean Peninsula, and our alliance in recent years has taken on a global dimension. Today we are working side-by-side around the world, from United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Africa and Lebanon to our contributions to international coalitions rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. We are cooperating to ensure that shipping lanes remain open, that countries meet their international obligations, and that dangerous materials and technologies don’t fall into the hands of rogue states or terrorist groups.
We are also collaborating every day in efforts to protect our environment for future generations and promote basic human rights and dignity for people around the world. Just last week we reached consensus with our international partners in Bali on a roadmap for UN negotiations on a comprehensive and effective post-2012 arrangement to confront global climate change. Both the U.S. and Korea are committed to creating a stable, safe, and prosperous international community, where every country conducts its affairs responsibly.
Evolving to Meet the Challenges of Tomorrow
As I said earlier, as fundamentally important as the alliance is, we also recognize that it must continue to evolve with the changing times. The tremendous pace of change in South Korean society, in the region around us, and across an ever more interconnected world means that the U.S.-ROK alliance must adapt to, and meet, new challenges and opportunities.
We have all heard the saying: “Change is never easy.” But it doesn’t seem that difficult to see that change is also important. As Charles Darwin said, “In the long history of humankind… those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” Now, as Darwin might have said, “evolution happens – whether you want it to or not.” The simple fact is that the U.S.-ROK security alliance is evolving. Our mission is to guide that evolution in mutually beneficial ways to ensure that the alliance continues to reflect our mutual priorities and shared interests in the 21st century.
Alliance Transformation
I was recently reminded – and in grand fashion – of how the defense relationship is transforming when I attended the Korean government’s Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new U.S. base at Pyeongtaek. As few as four years ago, there were over 100 U.S. military camps in South Korea, many occupying prime real estate. At the time of their construction, each camp played a vital role in our mission to deter the North Korean threat. The camps and their facilities were built over half a century ago to meet immediate operational needs rather than with long-term logistical plans in mind. In contrast, as we ready the alliance for its future role, the new and well-planned facilities at Pyeongtaek will greatly enhance the operational effectiveness of U.S. Forces in Korea and their interaction with Korean forces.
Under the Yongsan Relocation and Land Partnership Plans, these numerous and oftentimes outdated camps will be consolidated into a few key logistical hubs, the largest at Pyeongtaek. 35 of these camps have already been closed and returned to Korean use, and we are eager to move out of the biggest – Yongsan Garrison in Seoul – as soon as possible, so that this valuable land can be returned to the Korean people.
OPCON Transition
This year, we took another important step in the transformation of the Alliance. Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo and Defense Secretary Gates reached an agreement in February on the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, over Korean forces from today’s Combined Forces Command to the Korean government in April 2012. This five-year transition period gives our militaries plenty of time for the necessary planning, training and capability upgrades to ensure a seamless transition.
As you all know, this is not the first evolution of the command structure in the alliance’s history. Changed realities led to the creation of the current CFC structure in 1978 and the transfer of peacetime OPCON to the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1994. Today, South Korea is a global economic and political leader with one of the most capable militaries in the world. The transfer of wartime OPCON is a natural response to the Korean people’s interest in a more equal partnership with the United States and a reflection of Korea’s ever-increasing military prowess, economic power, and political influence.
I think this rebalancing of the alliance makes good political sense, and that it can be done in a way that ensures that our combined ability to deter or defeat any North Korea aggression remains undiminished. In this regard, let me underscore that, even after the transfer of OPCON, the U.S. commitment to protect our South Korean friends and allies in the event of a crisis will remain as firm as it ever was, and that the full range of U.S. air, naval, and intelligence capabilities will still be there to support the new ROK-led command structure.
Our two militaries have already begun implementing a Strategic Transition Plan for the 2012 OPCON transition, which is designed to ensure that there is no gap in the combined capabilities needed to maintain the peace on this Peninsula. True to Darwin’s observations about evolution, the new structure will combine the best of both of our militaries into an even more agile and capable fighting force.
Conclusion
Well, that brings us about five years into the future, to 2012. It also brings us close to the end of my allotted time here today, so let me offer a few concluding remarks.
First, a continued, robust U.S.-ROK relationship is in our mutual best interests. As such, we have worked hard, and in close cooperation, to get the defense relationship back on the right track in 2007, resolving a lot of contentious issues that have been with us for several years. We have added a stronger economic pillar to our alliance with the KORUS FTA, and we are working to expand the ties between our peoples through Korean entry into the Visa Waiver Program. This provides a solid foundation on which to build when the new Korean Administration takes office next year.
Now, looking to 2008 and beyond, it is also clear that the alliance – however strong it is in the present or was in the past – will require consistent and careful stewardship in order to adapt to a changing environment.
- We need to follow through in implementing the agreements we have reached in order to complete the transformation of the defense relationship, and continue to develop the global dimension of the alliance, consistent with the ROK’s growing activism beyond the Korean Peninsula;
- We must continue to collaborate on North Korea, in terms of both solving the most urgent challenge, denuclearization, and over the longer term encouraging an opening of North Korean society that can help improve the lives of the 22 million Koreans who live North of the DMZ;
- We need to secure the ratification of the KORUS FTA by the National Assembly and the U.S. Congress; and
- We must complete the work on Korea’s entry in the Visa Waiver Program.
In addition, and just as important, we need to continually remind our publics why the alliance remains fundamental to our shared strategic interests. And with political transitions ahead of us in both Korea and the United States, we need to rededicate ourselves to keeping the alliance strong and relevant in the decades ahead as an anchor of peace and stability not only for the Korean Peninsula but for Northeast Asia as well.