연설문
한미 경제 파트너십 특별 간담회 기조연설(11.28.)
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- 2023-12-01 08:37:26
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‘The Future of ROK-U.S. Economic Partnership’
Keynote Remarks , November 28, 2023
Thank you Chairman James Kim,
Ambassador Philip Goldberg,
Members of the AMCHAM,
Distinguished Guests,
I am truly honored to be
at this special luncheon today
as we commemorate the 70th anniversary
of the Korea-U.S. alliance.
This event marks
the culmination of a year
filled with remarkable
progress and achievements.
My sincere appreciation
goes to AMCHAM,
an organization that mirrors
the longevity and success
of the ROK-U.S. Alliance.
My friendship with James goes back many years,
especially when I served as the Chairman of the Korea-America Association.
During my tenure of the chairmanship,
I had the privilege to forge
a close partnership
with AMCHAM.
I also wish to say that
I greatly value the special bonds
I share with Ambassador Philip Goldberg.
Not only are we the same age,
but we both started
working in our current positions
almost simultaneously.
Working alongside such
esteemed colleagues and friends
always brings me great joy.
In this significant year,
we have indeed been fully celebrating
the 70th anniversary of the Alliance
in a manner which reflects its true importance.
Four visits by our President
to the U.S. in one year.
We sent our President, Four times!
In April, there was
the successful State visit,
the first in 12 years.
In August, there was the historic
Trilateral Summit in Camp David.
President Yoon also attended the
United Nations General Assembly in September
in New York.
And just last month,
he visited San Fransisco
to participate in the APEC and IPEF Summit.
So the President has been in
the East Coast and the West Coast.
He had a very fruitful, meaningful and successful dialogue with President Joe Biden,
the U.S. administration,
the U.S. Congress,
and the U.S. business leaders.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I remember the KORUS FTA was a politically controversial and divisive issue when it was discussed in our country
when I was served as the Chairman
of the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee of the Korean National Assembly.
There was a fierce debate, whether this KORUS FTA is good or bad for Korea.
But I know that now nobody raises questions about the importance and usefulness and the historic significance of the KORUS FTA.
The KORUS FTA was ratified in 2011,
about 12 years ago.
And since then it has been evaluated as
the gold standard of the Free Trade Agreement.
KORUS FTA has generated
a significant doubling in bilateral trade and
almost tripling the two-way investment
over the past decade.
In fact our bilateral trade volume this year
is expected to surpass $200 billion
for the first time ever.
AMCHAM has contributed to that historic record of our trade and investment between the two countries.
Our partnership far extends
beyond trade and investment.
It has evolved into
an economic and technological alliance.
Originally, our alliance was a military alliance,
based on the Mutual Defense Treaty.
And then it evolved into an economic alliance.
The KORUS FTA is the strong foundation
on which we have consolidated our economic alliance.
And the result is this rising trade and investment between the two countries.
Now we are a technological alliance.
Our scope of cooperation in the technological area spans a wide range,from automobiles, semiconductors, electric batteries,
to nuclear power generation and biotechnology
and of course, space, AI, and quantum.
It is still growing.
Just this month,
we successfully convened
the ROK-U.S. Space Forum with
experts, policymakers and
industry representatives
from the two countries.
I also had the pleasure of meeting with
U.S. government officials including the White House, State Department, the Department of Defense and U.S. Space Command,
and the CEOs of U.S. space companies,
exploring the exciting potential for
space cooperation between
our governments and companies.
I myself am a Trekkie.
I grew up watching Star Trek,
Captain Kirk, and Mr. Spock.
This well demonstrates that
the sky is no longer the limit
for our Alliance.
Maybe you remember the famous words from the movie "Apollo 13", "Houston, we have a problem."
Now, in our Alliance,
Houston, we DON’T have a problem.
Both Korea and the U.S.
are playing key roles
in the global supply chain,
with our cutting-edge technology
and manufacturing competitiveness.
And our supply chains are
intricately linked across the Pacific,
underscoring the interdependence
of our two economies.
Naturally, Korean companies are
making substantial investments in the U.S.
And indeed, American companies are also increasingly investing in Korea.
Particularly in high-tech industries,
such as electronics and EVs,
batteries, and semiconductors.
James just mentioned that it would be great if Korea becomes home to the headquarters of the Asian region for U.S. business companies, I totally agree.
To name a few,
Hyundai Motor’s $5.5 billion
EV plant in Georgia,
and Samsung Electronics'
$17 billion chip plant in Texas.
From the U.S.,
high-tech industry giants like
Netflix and Corning,
as well as major companies
such as GM and Dupont
pledged a total of $17.5 billion this year only.
Distinguished Guests,
The cooperation between
Korea and the U.S.
in the realm of the clean energy transition
is an illustrative model
of our economic alliance.
When the IRA was introduced last year,
As you all know,
it stirred up some concerns in Korea.
However, the two governments
navigated these issues through robust information-sharing and consultations,
in close communication with
relevant actors in the private sector.
The role of AMCHAM was invaluable.
I once again thank James
for playing a bridging role between Korea and the U.S. in ironing out these issues.
Now companies see greater predictability,
and a more favorable business environment.
Korean EVs now stand
as major players in the U.S. market
with an increased market share.
Whenever there is an issue,
our two countries will continue
to seek creative solutions
based on trust, reciprocity and transparency.
As we have done in the case of
the CHIPS & Science Act
guardrail provision and
the approval of the VEU for
Korean semiconductor companies.
Our governments are committed to
fostering two-way investment,
and cultivating a resilient supply chain ecosystem.
This remarkable economic partnership
owes its success to the amicable relationship
between the citizens of our two countries.
Interest in Korean culture
has been significantly
heightened in the U.S.,
as exemplified by the popularity of
BTS, Black Pink and Squid Game.
Do you know which country
visited Korea the most last year?
It was the United States,
with a notable 540,000 visitors.
The depiction of Kimbap in the dramas "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "The Glory"
resulted in a remarkable sell-out of
frozen Kimbap at Trader Joe's.
This mutual cultural interest
fosters a synergy
that not only encourages
people-to people exchanges,
but also yields positive effects
on our industries.
It is imperative that
we take steps to further invigorate
cultural exchanges by strengthening
the bonds between our future generations.
Furthermore, our symbiotic relationship is
contributing to a broader global dynamic.
Korea and the U.S. are now
enhancing cooperation with third countries.
Building on the positive momentum
in Korea-Japan relations,
we are also bolstering
Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation
as was vividly shown in the Camp David Summit
in August.
As leading economies and tech leaders,
the three countries will seek
closer collaboration in crucial areas
such as supply chains and advanced technology.
Distinguished Guests,
The partnership between Korea and
the U.S. is nothing short of extraordinary.
From the 70 years of experience,
we know that
we are more prosperous together,
we can go further when we walk together.
That’s why our catchphrase is
‘같이 갑시다’.
It is the business community
that plays the pivotal role
in shaping the trajectory
of our bilateral economic cooperation.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude
to AMCHAM and each one of you ;
for being the driving force
behind this robust alliance.
Your commitment and contributions
have been instrumental in the success
we've achieved so far.
And your continued dedication
will be crucial in charting the course
for the next 70 years
of the alliance.
Today's gathering provides a unique platform
for constructive discussions
that will help to define the direction
of the economic cooperation
between Korea and the U.S.
in this era of significant change.
James just mentioned that Yoon Government is driving a new foreign policy initiative called 'Global Pivotal State'.
The acronym is GPS.
We all carry GPS on our mobile phone which tells you where you are and where you're going.
Now that Korean foreign policy is equipped with GPS, we are ready to share our GPS with the United States, free of charge.
I look forward
to the transformative discussions
that will unfold today.
Thank you. /END/