Speeches and Transcripts

Remarks at 232nd Independence Day Reception

Alexander Vershbow
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Habib House Garden – July 3, 2008

Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, Members of the National Assembly, ambassadors, distinguished guests, friends and colleagues: welcome to our Residence to help celebrate the 232nd anniversary of the independence of the United States of America!  For some of you, this may be your first Independence Day reception here in Seoul while for others this may be old hat.  Whether you’re here for the first time or you’re a frequent visitor, Lisa and I are glad to have you here for our third, and sadly final, National Day celebration at Habib House.  Thank you for joining us today.  오늘 와주셔서감사합니다.

Lisa and I have just a few months left before we return to Washington.  As we look back on our time in Korea, we will remember it as a time of intense but deeply meaningful – and always interesting – activities.  Most recently, we saw a lively debate about resuming imports of U.S. beef – and we also heard it here in my house every night.  Some have suggested that lively debates like these, or those over other issues in our bilateral partnership, cast doubt on the longstanding alliance between our two countries.  But I think that is a fundamentally wrong conclusion to draw. 

Certainly, given the breadth and depth of the partnership between the United States and Korea, there will inevitably be issues were we don’t have exactly the same views, or where, even if our two governments see eye-to-eye, some citizens or civic groups might not feel the same way.  That’s understandable.  But I think the more meaningful lesson is that each time issues like this surface, our two countries find a way to work through them, to address each other’s concerns, and to emerge with a stronger and more durable partnership.  It is not the challenges and problems that arise that define the U.S.-Korea alliance; it is the way we work together to solve them. 

In the three years I have served in Korea, our two countries have worked together to accomplish a remarkable amount.  Our economic partnership, security alliance, and personal ties have all grown stronger and more comprehensive.   

We have concluded a free trade agreement that will remove virtually all of the tariff and non-tariff barriers to business between our two countries, and usher in a new period of competitiveness for both our economies. 

Working together, we have made significant progress in dealing with the North Korean nuclear challenge, including some dramatic developments just last week.

In recognition of the professionalism and capability of Korea’s Armed Forces, we have transformed our military alliance into a partnership of equals, and are carrying out a plan to transfer wartime operational control of Korean troops to Korean commanders, while ensuring that the U.S. commitment remains undiminished. 

We will soon see Yongsan Garrison returned to the Korean people and transformed into a national park – an oasis in the heart of this bustling metropolis – and, not far from there, we hope to begin work soon on a new U.S. Embassy that reflects the importance and strength of our relationship.. 

And perhaps of greatest interest to many Koreans, we have concluded an agreement on Korea’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program. 

Over the past three years our two nations have also worked together to help war-torn nations – Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq – restore peace, rebuild their economies and create the institutions of democracy and civil society.  In these efforts, the Republic of Korea is an inspiring role model.  Indeed, it is exciting to see that the ideals of freedom and democracy that Americans celebrate on the 4th of July are so firmly rooted in South Korea – and we hope that one day all Koreans will be united in liberty.   

I know that, in time, so many of issues we deal with today, whether it is beef, or the FTA, or the Visa Waiver Program, will be concluded and probably fade in our memory.  For Lisa and me, what will not fade is the memory of kindness and generosity shown by the Korean people.  I think I can speak for both Lisa and myself when I say that Korea has truly found a place in our hearts.

Looking out at the crowd, I’m impressed by the number of dignitaries and community leaders that I see here, and I’d like to take the time to recognize some of our most distinguished guests:

- Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee
- Environment Minister Lee Maa-nee
- Commander of UNC, CFC and USFK General Skip Sharp
- AMCHAM Chairman Bill Oberlin and President Tami Overby

The American Chamber of Commerce and our sponsors deserve special thanks and appreciation for donating the time and resources to bring this celebration of freedom and international friendship to life.  A big thank you to our musicians, the U.S. 8th Army Jazz Ensemble, and our two vocalists, Mr. Andrea Yang, and Ms. Grace Lee, who didn’t need a microphone to electrify this audience.  Many thanks also to the Embassy staff who labored to make this evening’s event a success. 

Thank you all.  So let me offer a toast:    

To our good friends here tonight, to the close bonds between the American and Korean people, and to the strong partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea – may it long continue.
 
이 곳에 있는 좋은 친구들과, 미국 국민과 한국 국민간의 가까운 관계를 위하여.

Thank you.
감사합니다