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| President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden smile during a joint press conference at South Korean presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, June 21, 2022. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon |
NK deterrence, chip subsidies, China issues to top agenda at upcoming summit
By Nam Hyun-woo
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will make a state visit to the United States late next month, and hold a summit with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the two countries' alliance and deepen political, economic, security, and people-to-people ties.
The South Korean presidential office said Wednesday that Yoon will travel to the U.S. for a state visit in late April and that a state dinner is slated for April 26. The White House said U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-han discussed preparations for the upcoming visit by Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
It will be the first state visit to the U.S. by a South Korean leader in 12 years. The last South Korean head of state to do that was former President Lee Myung-bak, who was invited by then U.S. President Barack Obama in October 2011. Also, Yoon will be the second state guest invited by Biden since his inauguration in January 2021.
Although the purpose of the visit is to enhance the bilateral alliance to deter North Korea's escalating threats, the leaders are also anticipated to discuss tricky issues, such as chip subsidies and regional cooperation to keep China in check.
Seoul is expected to highlight possible uncertainties that its businesses may face in the wake of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and chip subsidies program. On the other hand, Washington is anticipated to use the visit as an opportunity to strengthen its pitch for South Korean companies to stand on the same side in its rivalry against China and show the world the benefits of being America's ally.
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| South Korea's Director of National Security Kim Sung-han speaks during a press conference in Washington D.C., Wednesday. Yonhap |
Speaking to reporters, Wednesday, Kim said the two countries decided to explore detailed ways to upgrade the alliance's deterrence capabilities against North Korea's nuclear ambitions on the occasion of Yoon's state visit.
"During the state visit, the allies will focus on their basic duty of protecting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula in the face of North Korea's escalating nuclear and missile threats," Kim said.
The U.S. government also expects Yoon's visit to open a new chapter in the bilateral alliance and take the partnership to the next level.
At a daily press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, "Under President Biden, we have taken the U.S.-ROK partnership to unprecedented heights in a way that benefits our economies and our people and strengthened deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region."
She added, "The state visit will only strengthen and deepen U.S.-ROK ties and we are looking forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance here at the White House."
During the summit, Yoon and Biden are expected to concentrate their discussions on specific mechanisms to improve deterrence against North Korea's nuclear provocations. A senior South Korean government official said Seoul seeks to increase its participation in the process of Washington's nuclear planning and exercise.
For example, the official said the Deterrence Strategy Committee Table-Top Exercise, which was conducted in Washington last month, will be transformed "into one close to an actual exercise" and recent developments in the joint defense posture between the two countries are "not the end of enhancing the U.S. extended deterrence for South Korea."
Also, the summit, which will be the third for the two leaders, is anticipated to involve talks on South Korea joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which is a strategic security forum comprised of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S.
"Although South Korea has yet to join the Quad, the Yoon administration is stressing the importance of dialogue in its Indo-Pacific strategy," the official said. "Yoon has expressed his intention to have South Korea actively participate in the working groups of the Quad and then explore chances to join the Quad. In line with this, I believe South Korea should accelerate its efforts to join Quad working groups."
While stronger strategic cooperation is the main purpose of Yoon's visit to the U.S., the two leaders are expected to sit down to discuss different goals in terms of economic security.
South Korea's presidential aides are picking the IRA and the upcoming CHIPS for America Funding Opportunity program as the top agendas that Yoon is likely to focus on to promote Seoul's interests.
The IRA provides tax credits to buyers of new electric vehicles assembled in North America, which is a problem for South Korean carmakers. The subsidies program is about providing incentives to chipmakers, but also binds them to restrict new investments in China.
"Chances are high that the chip subsidies program will be included in the agendas, given its impact on South Korean chipmakers," another government official said. "Although it remains to be seen, the talks will likely focus on the requirement banning new investments in China."
The guardrail requirement is anticipated to weigh heavily on South Korean companies, such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, because their Chinese manufacturing bases account for significant portions of their total production.
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| U.S. President Joe Biden holds up a silicon wafer as he participates virtually in the CEO Summit on Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, April 12, 2021. AP-Yonhap |
While Yoon is anticipated to focus on clearing uncertainties for South Korean businesses, Biden may use the summit as an opportunity to seek a stronger South Korean role in strengthened U.S. pressure against China in terms of advanced technology and show the world about the benefits of being on America's side.
"Biden may double down on his call for South Korean companies' investments in the U.S. or ask them to join efforts to contain China's chip prowess during the summit," said Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University.
In addition, Park said the state visit itself has its own purpose for Washington.
"South Korea is one of the most successful U.S. allies, as it rose from the ashes of war during the past 70 years of alliance. This shows the world that being America's ally provides opportunities for success and prosperity," the professor said.
Park added that this also works to contain China, as the contrasting situation between South and North Korea could show the consequences of the North being part of a China-led bloc.
"During the state visit, there could be many events implying this idea," he said.
