South Korea’s PM Calls for a Stronger US-Korea Alliance: ‘Make KorUS Great Again!’

“Make KorUS Great Again,” declared South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Tuesday, calling for a renewed alliance between Korea and the United States based on shared democratic values and future industries amid shifting global economic and security dynamics.

Speaking at a policy seminar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Kim emphasized the Lee Jae Myung administration’s commitment to deepening strategic alignment with the United States.

“I understand the U.S. efforts to pursue a stronger nation, a more robust economy, and better treatment for American workers regardless of which administration is in power,” Kim stated in his keynote address titled “Make KorUS Great Again.”

“However, I firmly believe that the United States will become even stronger when it collaborates effectively with Korea and maintains a partnership that reflects the realities of the 2020s.”

Drawing on his experiences as a student activist during the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and his education in the U.S., Kim highlighted the shared democratic foundation, constitutional values, people-to-people exchanges, and future technologies that bind the two nations.

“Our common ground lies in our mutual understanding of the importance of a constitution. A nation that values its constitution inherently upholds the principles of democracy,” he emphasized.

Kim also underscored the deep-rooted cultural and human exchanges between the two countries, describing them as having reached an assimilative level.

Looking ahead, Kim outlined key industries for bilateral cooperation under the government’s ABCDE strategy—artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cultural content, defense, and energy—which he developed during his presidential campaign.

“Across all these sectors, we are confident in building a complementary relationship with the United States as we navigate the evolving landscape of global economics and security,” Kim asserted.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump could help bring North Korea back to the negotiating table and foster peace on the Korean Peninsula, extending beyond the resolution of ongoing tariff issues.

Regarding tariffs, Kim remained optimistic, stating, “There’s ample time to find a resolution. We have many tasks and issues to address, but everything will fall into place once we focus on the essence and future of the matter.”

At the seminar, Joseph Yun, chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to an “ironclad alliance” with Seoul grounded in defense, shared values, and deep economic ties.

Nevertheless, Yun pointed to the U.S.’s $1.2 trillion trade deficit last year and a projected $1.8 trillion fiscal deficit as reasons for urging greater responsibilities from its allies.

“These are staggering figures that must be reduced to achieve balanced economic relations,” Yun stated regarding the U.S. trade deficits.

With the U.S. spending approximately $1 trillion annually on defense, Yun added that the deficit is unsustainable. “The U.S. is asking our allies to contribute more. This request extends to all NATO partners in Europe and our allies in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia.”

In his opening remarks, James Kim, Chair and CEO of AmCham, addressed the ongoing tariff negotiations and potential avenues for cooperation between the two nations.

“As we navigate the current tariff negotiations, we see tremendous opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance our shared economic goals,” said Kim. He noted that member companies in shipbuilding, aerospace, energy, and technology are leading efforts to fortify the strategic partnership.

“At the same time, we recognize the importance of addressing Korea’s unique regulations to foster a more balanced and sustainable trade dynamic,” he added. “Consequently, we have launched the AmCham ‘Buy America’ campaign in collaboration with our member companies to enhance the visibility and accessibility of U.S. products.”