U.S.-ROK Relations for the New Generation

Remarks for the Daeil Foreign Language High School

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

Monday, September 18, 2006
Daeil School Auditorium, Seoul

Ambassador Vershbow at the   Daeil Foreign Language High School

Thank you, Principal Kang (Principal of Daeil Foreign Language High School Kang Chan-koo), for your introduction. I am very pleased to have been invited here today by the Daeil Foreign Language High School. I know this school is one of the most prestigious foreign language high schools in Korea, and it is my pleasure to be here with you today. I would like to talk briefly about the U.S.-ROK relationship and also share with you some of my experiences as U.S. Ambassador to Korea. I’ve just returned from Washington, where I participated in the very successful visit by President Roh Moo-Hyun.

Let me first start out by saying that it is very important to me to meet as frequently as possible with Koreans of your generation. As young as you may be, all of you have the potential to become future leaders in Korea, and I have no doubt that some of you will even change the course of Korean history. You will have the opportunity to pursue careers in a variety of fields, in the public or private sector. Whatever path you choose, it is my hope that some day, as the next generation of leaders, you will be working hand-in-hand with American counterparts to help strengthen the strong ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

As some of you basketball fans may know, back in August Seoul hosted a World Basketball Tournament at the Jamsil Gymnasium. My wife and I had the opportunity to attend the U.S. vs. Lithuania game, and I was amazed at the number of Korean fans who love the game of basketball – an indigenous U.S. sport that is also a cultural phenomenon in the United States. The game featured international basketball superstars including Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat. What truly impressed me was the number of Korean fans, both young and old, who attended the game, cheered when great plays were made, and celebrated their love for the game with Americans and other foreigners.

Basketball is a sport that cuts across national boundaries, and the overwhelming enthusiasm that I witnessed at the basketball game underscores the importance of mutual understanding through cultural events and exchanges. Our two countries’ mutual appreciation for sports, music, and the arts allow us to connect as human beings. Without this connection, foreign policies – however brilliant or well thought out – cannot be effectively implemented. Diplomacy is not always about creating and effecting foreign strategies and policies. Countries must come into mutual understanding through cultural awareness in order to build an alliance as durable as the one that links the United States and the Republic of Korea.

The bilateral alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea is critical to our two peoples and to the stability of Northeast Asia. The press tends to focus on problems in the relationship and on subjects on which we have a minor difference of opinion. But I continue to be impressed by the range of areas where our countries cooperate to the mutual benefit of our two peoples. This was confirmed once again at the meetings that took place last week between President Bush and President Roh.

In their meeting our two leaders focused first on the importance of our defense alliance, which has kept the peace on the Korean Peninsula for over 50 years. They agreed that it is important to finish the job of modernizing the alliance for the 21st century, in light of Korea’s growing military and economic strength and its active role in the world. In this regard, President Bush made clear he welcomes Korea’s desire to take more responsibility for its own defense. But he also made clear that the United States’ commitment to Korea’s security will remain rock-solid.

President Bush also expressed his gratitude for Korea’s contributions to U.S. efforts to build peace around the world – which have given our alliance a global dimension. Korean armed forces have played a key role in helping to stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan. The ROK has also sent humanitarian assistance to regions hit hard by natural disasters, such as the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the earthquake in South Asia, and the hurricanes in the United States. South Korean generosity in assisting other countries in need is significant and does not go unnoticed.

Our two Presidents spent a lot of time discussing North Korea, and they agreed on the importance of restarting the Six Party Talks. The Six Party Talks, as you know, is the name for the series of negotiations among six participating states – South Korea, North Korea, the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. The aim of these talks is to find a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Unfortunately, North Korea has refused to participate in the talks for nearly a year, and has continued to act in ways that endanger the security and stability of the Northeast Asia region – as exemplified by the recent missile launches in July.

Our two Presidents agreed on the need for the United States and South Korea to stand together in dealing firmly with North Korea’s provocative behavior. But they also reaffirmed that there is a better path that we hope North Korea will follow: if North Korea is prepared to fulfill its promise to eliminate its nuclear weapons, the United States, the Republic of Korea and the other parties are prepared to take major steps to promote lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and to improve the lives of the North Korean people.

My experience with closed societies in Europe shows that without free-market economic reform, the rule of law, and respect for the rights of individual citizens, a country like North Korea will only fall further and further behind, and prospects for real reconciliation will grow dimmer. Meanwhile, the people of North Korea will continue to suffer from hunger, poverty and denial of the most basic human rights. We hope that North Korea will ultimately make the right choice: to return to the Six Party Talks, to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, to abide by the standards of the international community, and to join in the progress and prosperity sweeping through the rest of Northeast Asia.

Our two leaders also discussed a topic that is very controversial here in Korea, the proposed Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). They agreed that countries that are open to trade and investment enjoy greater prosperity for their people and are better equipped to compete in the global economy. They instructed their Trade Ministers to do everything possible to complete negotiations on a comprehensive FTA that benefits both sides equally. I think that trade and business are likely to be the driving force in our relations in the years ahead, and the FTA will help bring our countries even closer together.

Our two leaders also touched on the importance of people-to-people exchanges. President Bush said that the United States will work with the ROK to bring it into the Visa Waiver Program as quickly as possible. When this happens, it will have a huge impact on the U.S. Embassy here in Seoul. Last year, we processed over 400,000 visas, and this year the number will be close to 450,000. The U.S. Embassy issues more than 80,000 student visas per year, making Korea our largest source of foreign students. I am personally committed to getting Korea into the Visa Waiver Program, since I want to ensure that as many Koreans as possible, especially those from your generation, can visit the United States without standing in line at the U.S. Embassy to obtain a visa.

Our two Presidents discussed many other subjects – relations with China and Japan, the war on terrorism, and even the candidacy of South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Ban Ki-Moon, to be the next Secretary General of the United Nations. I was struck not only by the warm and friendly atmosphere of the discussions, but by the fact that Korea is becoming, more and more, an equal partner of the United States – a country that is making a difference in Northeast Asia and around the world. This is quite an achievement for a country that lay in ruins at the end of the Korean War 53 years ago.

Now that you better understand the significance of the U.S-ROK relationship, I want to stress again how crucial your generation will be in shaping and enhancing the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. That is why our Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, believes that one of the most important missions of U.S. Embassies abroad is to promote “transformational diplomacy” – building and sustaining “democratic, well-governed states that will respond to the needs of their people, and conduct themselves responsibly in the international system.” This goal cannot be achieved by relying solely on traditional diplomatic tools. It also requires encouraging a new generation of leaders to step forward – young people who will eventually become the public officials, lawyers, doctors, business executives, scientists, artists, musicians, and other opinion leaders – the new backbone of Korean society.

All of you are part of this new generation, this new crop of talent, and you all have a role to play in promoting friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries. You are the future of Korea and I’m counting on you to continue to strengthen the ties between the United States and Korea well after I finish my tour here in Korea as U.S. Ambassador.

Let me add that diplomacy is not always conducted in meeting rooms with high-level government officials. In fact, there is a creative side to foreign policy that I strongly believe in: achieving cultural understanding through sports, music and the arts. As you know, I am an avid music fan and a musician. I play the drums and I especially enjoy playing classic rock-and-roll music (in the United States I’m part of band with other national security experts called the “Coalition of the Willing”). Even though my favorite songs may strike you as a little old-fashioned, I think that my drumming is a good way of building bridges between countries and between generations.

My wife Lisa is a professional artist, and she has enjoyed the chance to communicate with the Korean people through her works of contemporary jewelry design. She has met a lot of Korean jewelry artists and lectured to art student at several universities, in addition to exhibiting her works in galleries in Seoul. She and I strongly believe in the importance of reaching to all levels and ages of the Korean community, not just to prominent government officials.

In conclusion, the future of the U.S.-ROK alliance and the success of transformational diplomacy will depend on your generation. Seeing all of you today, I am very optimistic about your potential as future leaders. Remember, foreign policy is not just about abstract policies and convoluted negotiations; it is also about reaching out to diverse audiences through mutual understanding achieved by cultural collaborations in sports, music, and the arts.

I encourage all of you to excel in your studies and, if it is your passion, to pursue a career in public service. Regardless of what academic degree you decide to obtain in college, the bottom line is that you will have the opportunity to shape the future of Korea for the better. You will also play a pivotal role in the international community by promoting the values of democracy, freedom, and international cooperation not just in Korea, but also in countries around the world.

Again, it has been a pleasure for me to speak to you today, and I look forward to hearing your comments and questions. Thank you.