US voices support for South Korea’s new Indo-Pacific strategy

Washington, Dec 27 (EFE).- The United States on Tuesday voiced its support for South Korea’s adoption of a new Indo-Pacific strategy and assured that its policies advance the objectives of the two nations in terms of security and peace in the region.

South Korea’s “goal to expand its cooperation with other allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific will strengthen our shared ability to advance international peace, security, and promote nuclear nonproliferation,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement Tuesday.

“The strategy will also enhance the region’s economic security networks, cooperation in science and technology, and engagement on climate change and energy security.”

Seoul unveiled its new Indo-Pacific strategy with nine key areas, including building a regional order based on norms and rules, promoting the rule of law and human rights, strengthening nonproliferation and counterterrorism efforts, and expanding comprehensive security cooperation, according to local news agency Yonhap on Wednesday, local time.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-Yeol had already presented the strategy just over a month ago during the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, this year held in Cambodia.

At the summit, US President Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting with Yoon, and a trilateral meeting with the South Korea leader and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

After the meeting, Biden assured that the two Asian countries are “critical allies” for the US and share US concerns about North Korea’s “provocative behavior.”

The US has reinforced its interest in the Indo-Pacific, showing that Biden sees the region as a stage where Washington and Beijing could compete for global power. EFE

aaca/tw