“If the factions behind the impeachment in South Korea continue to steer the current situation, North Korea and China will seize this opportunity to weaken the U.S.-South Korea alliance. I say this based on my over 20 years of experience witnessing the threats posed by North Korea and China in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
In a written interview with The Chosun Ilbo on Jan. 14, Young Kim, a U.S. congresswoman (Republican, California), said, “The forces behind President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment prefer appeasement toward North Korea and accommodation of China, which could lead to a major disaster for the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.”
The 63-year-old Korean-American was elected to the House in 2020 and secured her third term last November, as U.S. House terms are two years. She was appointed chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee under the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Jan. 9. Kim drew attention on Jan. 6, becoming the first U.S. political figure to criticize the faction that led the impeachment in a column for The Hill, a congressional media outlet. This faction refers to the opposition parties in South Korea, including the Democratic Party of Korea, which led the impeachment effort in the National Assembly.
◇ “Regardless of who holds power in Korea, responding to the ‘malicious alliance of North Korea and China’ must be a priority for the U.S. and Korea”
What led you to write the column in The Hill?
“My perspective is based on a belief in the strength and importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and a hope for the freedom and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula. I was born in Incheon and grew up witnessing the aftermath of the Korean War. I have relatives who defected from North Korea. I’ve seen how South Korea, once a developing country, grew into a donor nation, and I worked for over 20 years as a foreign affairs advisor in the House of Representatives, helping strengthen the bilateral relationship through initiatives like the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As a congressman and the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Chair, I directly witnessed the unpredictability of the North Korean regime and the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. I couldn’t remain silent.”
In U.S. political circles, there has been growing concern over the phrase “diplomacy antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia,” which was cited as a reason for impeachment in the first motion proposed by South Korea’s Democratic Party last month. After the first motion was defeated and controversy intensified, the opposition removed this clause from the second motion.
Why did the phrase “antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia” attract so much attention in U.S. politics?
“It is clearly wrong to use President Yoon’s antagonism toward South Korea’s adversaries as grounds for impeachment. The malicious alliance of North Korea, China, and Russia threatens a free and open Indo-Pacific, and ultimately, global democracy. The forces pushing for impeachment favor appeasement toward North Korea and compliance with China, which could bring great disaster to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the entire region. The North Korean regime has never kept its promises. Furthermore, China’s President Xi Jinping, while supporting Russia’s unjust and brutal invasion of Ukraine, is also looking for the right moment to seize Taiwan. President Yoon has been critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s illegal expansion of maritime sovereignty. He has also stressed that denuclearization of North Korea is crucial for regional peace. I share that stance, and I believe we must confront the North Korea-China-Russia alliance even more resolutely. Under President Yoon’s leadership, South Korea has become a stronger strategic partner to the U.S.”
Wasn’t it unjustified for President Yoon to declare martial law?
“Whether martial law aligns with constitutional principles is a matter for legal scholars to debate. I trust the South Korean people’s commitment to democracy and their ability to navigate and overcome this situation.”
How might the prolonged political instability in South Korea affect the actions of North Korea, Russia, and China?
“If the faction driving the impeachment prolongs the unrest, political instability and anti-American sentiment could deepen in South Korea. North Korea and China are likely to exploit the situation by spreading disinformation, sowing discord, and undermining the U.S.-South Korea alliance.”
Some supporters of President Yoon claim that China has been manipulating public sentiment during the impeachment protests and spreading disinformation via social media. “While such allegations remain unconfirmed, it wouldn’t be surprising. It’s entirely plausible,” Rep. Kim said. She noted that President Yoon’s administration has taken a more critical stance toward China than his predecessors, whereas the opposition has adopted a more conciliatory approach. “President Yoon’s impeachment and any resulting discord within the alliance would undoubtedly benefit China,” she added.
How will the current crisis in South Korea influence the U.S.-South Korea alliance?
“The U.S.-South Korea alliance has a proud 72-year history. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited Seoul and met with South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, to underscore the enduring importance of our partnership. I hope both nations continue to recognize the value of joint military exercises and defense cooperation.”
What are your thoughts on the evolution of U.S.-South Korea-Japan relations?
“Relations among the three nations have made significant progress in recent years, and I believe they should continue to deepen. Our adversaries, such as North Korea and China, aim to exploit any fractures in our alliance to undermine a free and democratic Indo-Pacific. China has sought to intimidate its neighbors, including actions like allegedly severing Taiwan’s undersea cables. The U.S. must work closely with its allies to counter such threats, making trilateral cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan indispensable. Bipartisan support for this partnership remains strong in the U.S. Congress. I commend the efforts of South Korean and Japanese leaders to resolve historical disputes. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, nominated as secretary of state by President-elect Trump, understands the crucial role of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. I expect him to further develop and expand the Camp David Agreements—a security pact between Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., announced on Aug. 18, 2023, at Camp David. As chair of the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific within the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to advancing trilateral cooperation with my counterparts in South Korea and Japan.”
Rep. Kim recently met with President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as U.S. president on Jan. 20. While she declined to disclose specific details of their conversation, she shared, “Last weekend, I had an opportunity to discuss the situation in South Korea with advisors to the incoming Trump administration.” She added, “I recommended inviting a South Korean delegation to attend President Trump’s inauguration.”
What should the next U.S. administration prioritize regarding the situation in South Korea?
“We are closely monitoring its developments in South Korea. Once President Trump takes office, his administration must reaffirm its commitment to bilateral cooperation with South Korea and trilateral efforts with Japan to counter the influence of North Korea and China. Regardless of who holds power in South Korea, it must be clear that appeasement toward North Korea is ineffective and that addressing the North Korea-China alliance is a priority for both nations.”
