Yonhap News Agency
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Yonhap) — U.S. Congressional Korea Caucus chairs on Wednesday congratulated new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on his election this week, stressing their “steadfast” commitment to the “ironclad” alliance and calling the Asian country a “key and indispensable” U.S. ally.
Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued a statement after Lee of the liberal Democratic Party was elected South Korea’s president. Tuesday’s election was held following the April ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition in December.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to President Lee Jae-myung and wish him and his administration well as they prepare to lead the Republic of Korea — a key and indispensable U.S. ally — through the many challenges facing the Korean Peninsula and beyond,” they said in the statement.
“As Co-Chairs of the Korea Caucus, we remain steadfastly committed to defending, strengthening, and enlarging the ironclad U.S.-Korea alliance.”
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the co-chairs said that the two countries’ relationship “now forms the linchpin of U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Through our shared values, unshakable bond, and common future together, we will continue to ensure peace and prosperity on the Peninsula and in the region,” they said.
“We look forward to working together with President Lee Jae-myung and his administration during this critical time for the alliance. We also wish to recognize the estimated two million Korean Americans throughout the United States who play a vital role in maintaining our strong bilateral relationship, they added.
The Korea Caucus is a group of U.S. lawmakers supporting the South Korea-U.S. relationship. Strickland has assumed the co-chair role following the recent passing of Gerald Connolly.
In a social media post Tuesday, Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) said she is committed to advocating for the alliance with the Lee administration, and for a “free” and “democratic” South Korea.
“The U.S.-ROK alliance is one of our nation’s strongest & is more important than ever to work towards a shared goal of promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific region,” she wrote on X. ROK is short for South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) also wrote a congratulatory message to Lee.
“Congratulations to South Korea’s new President, Lee Jae-myung, who was sworn into office earlier today,” he wrote on X. “Among other things, I look forward to working with him to continue enhancing our tremendous U.S.-ROK alliance and to advance trilateral security cooperation with Japan.”
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) expressed his hope for a strengthening of the alliance.
“Congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as President of the Republic of Korea,” the senator wrote on X. “Our countries have deep ties based on shared interests and values, and I look forward to helping further strengthen this alliance to best uphold regional security, stability, and economic prosperity.”
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) pledged continued support for the South Korea-U.S. partnership.
“I want to wish success to Lee Jae-myung as he takes on the responsibility of South Korea’s next president,” he wrote on X. “I will continue to advocate for the United States and the Republic of Korea’s partnership through my bill, the bipartisan U.S.-ROK Alliance Resolution, which now has 50 bipartisan cosponsors.”
