'Security and prosperity are inseparable'

'Korea must take a leading role in the Indo-Pacific'

US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel delivers a special address at an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea luncheon held at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel delivers a special address at an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea luncheon held at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel said Wednesday that American companies operating in South Korea must be able to compete fairly and without discrimination on a level playing field.

Steel made the remarks at a special luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

In her keynote address, Steel said President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump had "dramatically elevated the Korea-US alliance in a once-in-a-generation way," and called for deeper cooperation in security and economic affairs on that foundation.

"Security and prosperity are inseparable," she said, adding that bilateral cooperation had underpinned stability on the Korean Peninsula and driven economic growth in both countries.

Steel also pointed to regulatory barriers in South Korea's digital market, making clear that a fair competitive environment must be established so that American companies can be treated on equal footing with their Korean counterparts.

"Korea is no longer a country that simply receives protection from the United States," Steel said during a panel discussion at the event. "It is time for Korea to exercise leadership in the Indo-Pacific region."

Having achieved remarkable economic growth after receiving US support following the Korean War, South Korea must now play a more active role in the region, she said.

On China, Steel called it "the greatest threat in the Indo-Pacific region" and said close cooperation between South Korea and the United States was essential.

She noted that vast quantities of crude oil and natural gas are transported through key sea lanes in the region, and said China was expanding its influence over maritime trade routes while adopting a coercive posture toward neighboring countries.

On North Korea, Steel reaffirmed the US government's standing position that it remains open to dialogue without preconditions.

"The US government has always said that denuclearization is important for North Korea without preconditions, and has consistently maintained that dialogue is open," she said. "What matters is deterring war."

She went on to say that North Korea had recently been improving the accuracy of its missiles through test launches and had sent troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. "The United States and Korea must work together to understand exactly what is happening and discuss how we can stop it," she added.

On the timing of a resumption of North Korea-US talks, Steel said it was difficult to predict, but noted that engagement could also "serve as an asset in starting inter-Korean dialogue," underscoring the need for South Korea's involvement.

The luncheon, held to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, was also attended by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea and simultaneously commander of the United Nations Command and the Combined Forces Command, who delivered a special address and took part in a panel discussion.


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