{shortcode-2e60b30b9be955c07bfe893bdef89390bda1bc84}
Kang Kyung-wha, the newly appointed South Korean ambassador to the United States, said her country aims to be a “bridge” between global powers in an online forum hosted by the Korea Institute at Harvard on Thursday.
Kang, who was appointed as ambassador by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month, said her country’s improving partnership with China and cooperation with the United States and Japan affords it a unique negotiating position.
“We feel the pressure, of course, like all countries with important relationships with either or both powers, but given our own capabilities, Korea cannot just be a passive player when we can play a constructive role as a credible bridge of stability,” Kang said.
Kang was previously the president of the Asia Society, a think tank based in New York City, and the first female foreign minister of affairs in South Korea from 2017 to 2021.
In the event, moderated by Harvard Anthropology professor Nicholas H. Harkness, the director of the Korea Institute, Kang discussed Korea’s place in a constantly evolving political realm. She briefly commended Lee for organizing a summit on Oct. 30 between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but did not detail any progress made.
“Our seven-decades-old defense alliance with the United States remains the solid foundation of our foreign and security policy, and we are now working actively with the United States to modernize this alliance towards a future oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance that encompasses security but also economy and technology,” Kang said. “Meanwhile, China is our neighbor, geographical neighbor in our own region, and our largest trading partner and a critical link in most of our supply chain.”
She also argued that while “uncertainties,” including the U.S.-China rivalry, North Korea’s nuclear program, and the climate crisis, have “deepened,” South Korea will be able to protect its interests, in part by modernizing its defense alliance with the U.S. and reducing diplomatic tensions with North Korea.
Kang added that after the ongoing 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference ends, her country plans to accelerate its investments into renewable energy by encouraging development in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybertechnology.
The nation has finalized an official, legally binding plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 that will be submitted to the United Nations, according to Kang.
“Addressing the climate crisis and advancing a sustainable energy transition is a core national agenda of the Lee Jae Myung administration,” she said.
Kang also said that while in office, she hopes to continue the existing tradition of involving South Korean citizens in the diplomatic decisions made at the state level.
“Not just telling, explaining what these policies were, but really trying to register views when we were coming up with policies or legislations that directly affected them,” Kang said. “ I hope that effort continues.”
—Staff writer Andrew Park can be reached at andrew.park@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @AndrewParkNews.
—Staff writer Nari Shin can be reached at nari.shin@thecrimson.com.
