Embassy of the United States Seoul Korea

Ambassador Sung Kim delivers congratulatory remarks at 2012 Sejong National Policy International Conference

Ambassador Sung Kim
Congratulatory Remarks
2012 Sejong National Policy International Conference
October 11, 2012, 9:35-9:40 a.m.

Ambassador Kwon Chol-Hyun; Dr. Hyun In-Taek; Ambassador Lee Hong-Koo; President Rhee Sang-Woo; President Song Dae-Sung; distinguished scholars and experts:  it’s a pleasure to be here today and to see so many familiar faces.   

It really is great to see old friends and colleagues, Korean and American, from my Six Party days.  But I have to say as much as I enjoyed working with all of you on important North Korea issues, I think I prefer my current job a lot more.  

The US-Korea alliance is a very special partnership and to have this opportunity to manage our wonderful relationship is a great honor for me.  My first year here has been quite exciting.  We have had a number of important and positive developments including the implementation of the historic US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, President Obama’s third visit to Korea, and more recently the Revised Missile Guidelines. 

We also have had some interesting and important developments up north.  I think this a very good time to be evaluating what is happening in Pyongyang and to be thinking about Seoul’s North Korea policy.  So I congratulate the Sejong Institute for organizing this very timely conference.  

I very much look forward to hearing your assessment of recent developments and your vision of a desirable North Korea policy for the next ROK administration.  Let me just take a moment to highlight a few important principles that have and will continue to guide Washington’s approach on North Korea. 

First, the closest possible U.S.-ROK coordination is absolutely essential.  We will continue to coordinate, consult, communicate very closely with Seoul on any issue/development related to North Korea, and on every aspect of our North Korea policy. 

Second, as our senior officials have made clear, the U.S. remains prepared to engage constructively with North Korea but we will continue to insist that North Korea live up to its commitments, adhere to its international obligations, and deal peacefully with its neighbors.  

Third, as President Obama reiterated during his visit here this spring, the United States continues to support the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula according to the will of the Korean people.  In stating this long-standing position, he highlighted security challenges that a divided Peninsula poses, the personal tragedy of divided families, and the Korean people’s desire for this single nation to live together as one again.

Unification means bridging this divide and closing these gaps.  It will not be an easy task and will take many years to complete.  But when unification comes -- and history teaches us that it will come -- our deep and mature alliance will be ready to deal the changes and challenges.  

I know there are many important dimensions to consider.  And I hope you will think creatively and inspire each other to help identify a productive path forward to address one of our most intractable problems.   

Again, congratulations to the Sejong Institute for organizing this event and best wishes to all of you. Thank you.