The White House praised the results of the June 3 presidential election in Korea, which elected President Lee Jae-myung, stating that the election was conducted freely and fairly, while also expressing concerns regarding China’s interference and influence over global democratic countries.
On the 3rd (local time), the White House stated regarding the election results where Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea was elected, “The U.S.-Korea alliance remains rock solid,” adding, “Korea held a free and fair election.” However, it also noted, “The U.S. still has concerns and opposes China’s interference and influence over global democratic countries.”
The inclusion of critical remarks regarding China’s influence on democratic countries in the White House’s statement on the Korean election results is seen as quite unusual.
Earlier, Karoline Leavitt, the White House Spokesperson, noted during a briefing that she could not find her response document for questions regarding the Korean election and said, “I will find it for you.”
This has led to interpretations that the U.S. government, while clearly stating it will firmly maintain the U.S.-Korea alliance under the Lee Jae-myung administration, has indirectly demanded the new government to keep a ‘distance’ from China.
The Donald Trump administration has continually sent warning messages to allies in the U.S. regarding the line of maintaining economic cooperation with China while upholding close cooperation with the U.S., referred to as ‘Anmi Gyeongjung’ (安美經中).
Earlier, Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, criticized economic cooperation with China during the Shangri-La Dialogue held on the 31st, saying, “Economic dependence on China only exacerbates China’s harmful influence.”
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, stated in a statement, “The U.S. and Korea share an unwavering commitment to an alliance based on mutual defense treaties, shared values, and deep economic ties.” He further added, “We will continue to deepen trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan to enhance regional security, improve economic resilience, and uphold the democratic principles we share.”
Pete Nguyen, a Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, also stated, “The U.S. commitment to Korea’s defense and the U.S.-Korea alliance is rock solid.”
Messages of congratulations on President Lee’s election have also come from the U.S. political scene. Andy Kim, the first Korean American senator, emphasized, “I look forward to continuing to build on the very important cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Korea,” adding, “This alliance has never been more important than it is now.”
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the Democratic chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated in a congratulatory statement, “The election results have proven that Korea’s institutions have the resilience to uphold the democratic principles and rule of law that we share.”