Biden seeks Seoul’s support on US ‘rebalancing to Asia’ policy

Posted on : 2013-12-07 14:04 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
While in Seoul, US vice president says Washington will “continue to place its bet on South Korea”
 Dec. 6. (Blue House photo pool)
Dec. 6. (Blue House photo pool)

By Seok Jin-hwan, Blue House correspondent

US Vice President Joseph Biden emphasized a strong alliance with South Korea in a meeting with President Park Geun-hye at the Blue House on Dec. 6, saying the US will “continue to place its bet on South Korea.”

He also specifically requested Seoul’s support on the US “rebalancing to Asia” policy, which is putting Asia front and center in Washington’s diplomatic efforts in order to strengthen the country’s dominant role in Northeast Asia.

“I want to make one thing absolutely clear. President Obama’s decision to rebalance the Pacific Basin is not in question,” Biden told Park. “The United States never says anything it does not do.”

He went on to say, “As I said in my visits thus far in the region, it has never been a good bet to bet against America.”

Analysts took this as a call for Seoul to cooperate actively with the policy effort, which involves stronger collaboration with South Korea and Japan to check China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Biden also urged improvements in South Korea’s increasingly strained relations with Tokyo, expressing hope that the obstacles would be quickly resolved to allow for more harmonious ties.

President Park said South Korea “hopes to further build on the trust that we have built over the last six decades to further deepen our relationship and to take it forward.”

She also said it “plans to continue developing its strategic cooperation partnership with China to contribute to the welfare of people in both countries and the region’s peace and prosperity.”

Regarding relations with Tokyo, Park said Japan “needs to be an important partner in collaboration. I hope that both countries can build a future-oriented relationship based in trust, and I look forward to seeing sincere steps from Japan to achieve this.”

The US reportedly did not express any strong objections to South Korea expanding its air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the subject of major interest in recent weeks.

“President Park explained the government’s position on the South Korean ADIZ, and Vice President Biden commended her for her explanation and Korea’s efforts,” said Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in a briefing after the meeting.

“I can’t talk about it in detail yet because there’s going to be a government announcement shortly, but I will say that Vice President Biden described the South Korean government’s efforts as ‘very rational’ and in accordance with international standards and practices,” he added.

Yun also quoted Biden as welcoming South Korea’s recent announcement of intent to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In response, Park called for both sides to work together so that discussions can proceed smoothly, Yun reported.

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