US ambassador says she looks forward to working with Democratic Party to expand South Korea's global role
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok met with US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel at the National Assembly on Tuesday to exchange views on ways to strengthen the South Korea-US relationship.
"The South Korea-US alliance has been rock-solid, and it must grow even stronger going forward," Kim said during the meeting. "Throughout Korea's modernization, democratization and industrialization — every chapter of our modern history — the United States has been a steadfast neighbor."
Kim added that he does not see South Korea building its own independent capabilities as being at odds with deepening the alliance with the United States. In his floor speech as the Democratic Party's floor leader on Sept. 7, Kim also stressed the need to strengthen South Korea's autonomous diplomatic capacity, saying "the era of looking only to the United States is over."
Kim told Steel that during his visits to the United States as prime minister, both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had shown deep interest in North Korea each time they met. "I hope that US-North Korea relations will develop well and contribute to peace and progress on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
In response, Steel said South Korea has emerged as a central player on the world stage, working to promote peace and prosperity both regionally and globally, and that the National Assembly plays a pivotal role in shaping the country's diplomatic relations. "I look forward to working with the party leader and the Democratic Party to strengthen the South Korea-US alliance and expand South Korea's growing global role in the international community," she said.
bigroot@heraldcorp.com
