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네이버 공유 카카오 공유 트위터 공유 페이스북 공유

Applying Korea-U.S. Cooperation to Resolve Global Issues

The Korea Foundation held its 8th KF Forum at the Diamond Hall, Seoul Plaza Hotel (September 3), which featured the outgoing U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow as the guest speaker, who addressed the theme of “Korea-U.S. Relations: The Global Dimension.”

The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Korea, Alexander Vershbow, has focused his efforts on improving Korea-U.S. relations since the time of his appointment in 2005. The KF Forum thus served as a timely opportunity for Amb. Vershbow to share his thoughts on the current status and direction of the Korea-U.S. alliance, based on his three years of service in Seoul. During this time, Amb. Vershbow said that he has developed a deep affection for Korea and its people, and thus looks forward to advancing the mutual interests of our two countries. His presentation, which is summarized below, outlined the key international issues that should be pursued through close Korea-U.S. cooperation.



Korea’s Important Role
The Korea-U.S. alliance is not limited to the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, but should become a force for peace and stability in Northeast Asia and around the world. The United States pursues comprehensive cooperation with its allies, including European countries and Japan, so the time is right for Korea and the United States to strengthen such broadened cooperation.
As an important country in the international community, Korea is now more actively interested in international issues. At his inaugural ceremony, President Lee Myung-bak also mentioned that Korea would pay greater attention to global issues and fulfill its obligations to the international community. The United States cannot solve all of the world’s problems alone. Therefore, it needs help from its allies, like Korea. Korea’s successful development serves as a valuable role model for developing countries, and Koreans should welcome the opportunity to increase its role as a key member of the international community. In addition to international security, such as peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts, there are several areas where Korea and the United States can contribute to enhancing cooperation in the world and Asia.

Response to Climate Change
First of all, Korea and the United States should cooperate on the issue of global climate change. The two countries have developed a strong partnership to address the problem of climate change. Korea can play a bridge role between the industrialized and the developing countries, which will prove important to the international community. Korea stated at the recent Tokyo G-8 Summit that it would establish an “East Asia Climate Partnership” to help transfer resources and technology to developing countries.
Domestically, Korea is adopting a policy approach similar to that of the U.S., which includes reduction of CO2 emissions, and research and development of renewable energy. President Lee Myung-bak pledged to boost the share of renewable energy from 2.5 percent to 11 percent by 2030, and to 20 percent by 2050. Korea’s reduction of greenhouse gases is very significant in environmental terms since the country is the world’s ninth-ranked producer of such gases.
To actively respond to climate change, there is an urgent need to reduce the emissions of carbon and greenhouse gases, the primary cause of such climate change. The key to reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases is the development of clean, alternative energy, for which closer cooperation between Korea and the United States is foreseen. Our two countries are the founding members of the “Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.” Korea’s efforts on clean energy will result in global benefits.
Considerable U.S.-Korea cooperation is already underway in the research and development of alternative energy. For example, since 2003, the two countries have been working together on the “International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy” to reduce automobile emissions. In addition, Korea and the United States are working together on the “Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.” Meeting the challenge of slowing down climate change and promoting efficient economic policy at the same time will yield cost savings for everyone.

Aid for Developing Countries
The two countries should also join hands to promote new trade opportunities for developing countries, for their sustainable development and growth. The solution lies in an expansion of trade opportunities, not aid. The World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations is an initiative to provide such trade opportunities. The Doha Development Agenda will play a pivotal role in bringing developing countries into the global economy on terms that enable them to benefit fully from international trade activities. Korea and the United States should thus continue to push for adoption of the Doha Development Agenda.
Food security, an emerging global issue, is another area in which Korea and the United States can cooperate. Barriers to agricultural trade and the use of modern agricultural biotechnology should be dismantled to ensure global food security. It will not be easy to remove trade barriers to biotech agricultural products which are directly related to the health issues of the people in Korea. Yet, in terms of global food security, advanced agricultural biotechnology is important, and all countries are required to assess biotechnology from a factual basis.
Developmental and humanitarian assistance are also critically important. Korea in the past was an aid recipient, but now it has become a significant donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA). Korea plans to provide about $1 billion of ODA in 2008, which will bring it closer to the OECD average for ODA, as a percentage of gross national income. Korea has cooperated with the U.S. Agency for International Development, since the 1960s, to provide support to developing countries.

Human Rights and Security Issues
Another area for potential cooperation between Korea and the United States is human rights. At the recent Korea-U.S. summit meeting, the presidents of our two countries reaffirmed their commitment to improving the human rights situation in North Korea. However, cooperation on human rights should not be restricted to only North Korea. The two countries should make efforts to address human rights issues elsewhere in the world, including the situation in Myanmar and the treatment of North Koreans in China. Other areas of cooperation between Korea and the United States include the prevention of infectious diseases and aid for disaster relief. The two countries should pursue joint efforts to address various issues beyond our national boundaries.
The Korea-U.S. alliance still serves an important security function. For the stabilization of the region, the two countries are cooperating closely to address such issues as North Korea’snuclear problem, China’s rise, and peacekeeping activities. Korea and the United States should strengthen cooperation through broadened and expanded efforts. Korea is fully able to play a more prominent role in promoting global security and prosperity, and it is the right time for Korea and the United States to deepen their cooperation in more aspects.

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