On December 7th, 2020, the GW Institute for Korean Studies partnered with the East Asia National Resource Center to host a Korea Policy Forum with guest speaker Marc Knapper, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan from the U.S. Department of State. Joined and moderated by GWIKS Director, Dr. Jisoo Kim, the discussion of this event revolved around “U.S.-ROK Cooperation Between the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the New South Policy,” which mainly examined targeted goals and cooperation shared by the U.S.-ROK alliance and the nations within the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote a positive, safe, and prosperous environment.
In opening up the discussion, Deputy Knapper began by highlighting the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance in helping to shape changes into the Indo-Pacific region. South Korea’s emergence as a global player and regional power has become a huge benefit to our alliances, as it extends our reach and capabilities in the region when it comes to achieving goals and shared principles. Some of these key points outlined by the Deputy include: free seas and open skies, insulating sovereign nations from coercion, the promotion of good governance and human rights, as well as free and open trade.
South Korea’s New South Policy that was declared back in 2017 echoes many of those shared principles, aimed to promote closer relations and harmony with the nations of South East Asia on a foundation of “People, Peace, and Prosperity.” The action plan consists on a number of objectives to expand upon going into the future, through collaborative efforts of the United States, fellow South East Asian countries, institutions, and nonprofits. In terms of economic prosperity, there is a join recognition between the U.S.-ROK alliance on the importance of open investment, trade, and competitive markets in order to influence growth and deter coercion.
This also ties into the development of human capital and championing good governance, mainly providing additional efforts, incentives, but equally, good examples of good governance through public and private investments that allow citizens within these countries the skills and education they have opportunities within the system. This primarily focuses on enhancing the welfare of the people of South East Asia in addition to addressing challenges and disagreements that continue to be an issue amongst the region, such as woman’s rights.
When looking at actions taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic, both the United States and South Korea have donated thousands of dollars in aid and resources to help facilitate the healthcare and security of nations within the region, in addition to providing funds to keep their economies going. Cooperative efforts have also been made into providing education resources to governments and citizens in order to handle the ongoing pandemic as it continues to evolve.
Continued cooperation efforts through investment, dialogue, and diplomacy through this alliance will not only beneficial for the nation of South East Asia, but foster community within the region built on the betterment of all that will allow for prosperity and collaboration to thrive within the future.
