Portrait of Park Geun Hye
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Park Geun Hye on Barack Obama

Alliance Strengthener (strong)

TL;DR

Park Geun Hye viewed Barack Obama as a crucial partner whose leadership solidified the US-ROK alliance for global security.

Key Points

  • The leaders reaffirmed an unwavering U.S. commitment to South Korea's defense, including extended deterrence and deploying the THAAD missile defense system by September 2016.

  • They agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts against North Korea's nuclear program, affirming they would never accept the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state.

  • During a summit in May 2013, they noted positive results from the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which was already boosting exports for both nations.

Summary

Park Geun Hye consistently viewed her relationship with President Barack Obama as highly significant, particularly in strengthening the 60-year-old U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance. Her position was characterized by a mutual affirmation of shared values, such as liberty and democracy, and a joint commitment to adapting the alliance to 21st-century challenges. Key evidence of this positive stance includes her choosing the United States for her first foreign trip and the joint declaration celebrating the alliance's strength, which reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to South Korea's defense, including extended deterrence.

The cooperation between the two leaders extended beyond security to economic ties, such as the successful implementation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and encompassed new global frontiers. They worked to expand collaboration into areas like global health security, cybersecurity, and space exploration, positioning the bilateral relationship as evolving into a comprehensive global partnership. Furthermore, Park sought Obama's support for her Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative, demonstrating a shared vision for regional stability that often required coordinating against North Korean threats and navigating relations with China.

Key Quotes

Park said she expressed her gratitude to Obama for clearly expressing the unwavering commitment of the U.S. for South Korea's defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Park Geun Hye's primary goal was to solidify and strengthen the long-standing alliance between South Korea and the United States, especially in light of regional security challenges. She sought to build a partnership that went beyond security to encompass economic cooperation and new global issues. Her efforts were crucial in ensuring continued U.S. support for South Korea's defense posture.

Park Geun Hye and President Obama maintained a united front, condemning North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, and refusing to accept it as a nuclear state. They agreed to maintain a strong deterrence posture and deepen international coordination, including with China, to hold Pyongyang accountable for violations of UN resolutions. While leaving the door open for dialogue contingent on denuclearization, they were firm against rewarding provocation.

Yes, the leaders actively expanded cooperation into 'new frontier' areas beyond traditional security concerns. They agreed to accelerate joint work on global health security, cybersecurity, and space exploration. This reflected her vision of the alliance evolving into a comprehensive global partnership ready for future challenges.