Session: Session 2-1 (State of Alliances)
Date/Time: April 25, 2023 / 13:10-14:25

 
Rapporteur:
Prikhodko Maria, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Moderator:
Jakob Hallagren, Swedish Institute of International Affairs

Speakers:
Choi Byung Hyuk, Council on Korea-US Security Studies
Kim Byung Joo, National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Paul D. Wolfowitz, Former US Deputy Secretary of Defence
Yamaguchi Noboru, International University of Japan
Andrew Harrison, United Nations Command
 
Session Sketch:
 
Concurrent Session 2-1 of the 2023 Asan Plenum, titled “State of Alliances,” started with Jakob Hallgren of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs remarking that the celebration of the 70 years of alliance, considering the various ways that going more deeper with the US cooperation. Also, he mentioned that we have to keep more attention about global issues that relate to Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine and alliances in Europe. Likewise, he discussed the concerns of the US, such as Afghanistan, inflation issue, and future administration’s commitment. Alliances are taking the main role, especially in active relationships between the US, Japan and South Korea. The moderator asked General Choi Byung Hyuk about changes in political circumstances, and perceptions of the US leadership.

General Choi Byung Hyuk noted that the ROK-US alliance is getting stronger and closer than previous years, and staying unbreakable in the future. Alliance has built a strong foundation and stability. So, developing future alliances are important in strategic partnerships. Moreover, he mentioned that instability and insecurity remains the main issues for alliances, as China and Russia should show transparency measures.

Representative Kim Byung Joo of the National Assembly said that the essential part of an alliance is to be a healthy and stable alliance. He noted that governments should communicate transparency which makes alliance more beneficial than before. He believes that relationships between countries have to be healthy in order to keep the alliance.

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz remarked that collision with this issue as pandemic plays a huge role these days. He believes that South Korea should participate more with this problem. The second main point is that national security, as cyber technologies could occur advantage for countries cooperation. And, Korea these days demonstrates good results in technologies that take a place successfully in combination with other countries.

Finally, Andrew Harrison, Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command, noted that the United Nations completely support South Korea. The US-South Korea alliance based on treaty, which defends them. After travelling in Europe, the speaker realized two things, firstly, it is still legitimacy and tactical strategic war are important, and, secondly, the three is strategic death as in Ukraine that is damaging Europe society.

* The views expressed herein are summaries written by rapporteurs and may not necessarily reflect the views of the speakers, their affiliated institutions, or the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.