U.S. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan along with Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware participated in a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to South Korea, where they discussed shared interests and future areas of cooperation, and met with high-level officials. While in the region, the senators also paid a visit to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, to underscore U.S. support for Taiwan, including on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The delegation announced that the U.S. will donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan as part of President Joe Biden’s plan to provide vaccines to America’s global partners in need.
Sen. Dan Sullivan:
“This bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Republic of Korea, the first of its kind since the onset of the pandemic, underscores the fact that the alliance between our two nations is the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S.-Korean alliance dates back to the Korean War when our soldiers fought side by side to defeat North Korean communist aggression. I respect so much how, even to this day, the Republic of Korea’s elected leaders and citizens continue to express their appreciation for the sacrifice of tens of thousands of American servicemen who have helped make the country free and prosperous. I want to thank my co-lead on this trip, Senator Duckworth, and Senator Coons for joining me in sending a resounding, bipartisan message of mutual support between our two countries and to America’s friends and adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.”
Click here to view pictures of the visit to South Korea.
In South Korea, Sens. Sullivan, Duckworth and Coons:
- Met with high-level officials, including Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Minister of National Defense Suh Wook, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook;
- Were briefed by General Robert B. Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea;
- Held a substantive meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byung-Seug about a variety of topics, including advocating for the ratification of the cost-sharing agreement;
- Met with two other members of the National Assembly: Dr. Jin Park and National Defense Committee Chairman Min Hong-cheol;
- Met with Green Climate Fund Executive Director Yannick Gelmarec;
- Discussed ways to partner on manufacturing and respecting intellectual property with Samsung President and Head of Corporate Management Office of Device Solutions Division HK Park, Executive Vice President for Global Affairs Kim Won-kyung, Vice President of Global Public Affairs Team SP Chun, Principal Professional of Global Public Affairs Mahnjin Han, Senior Professional of Global Public Affairs Daesoon Park and Senior Professional of Global Public Affairs Cameron Cankaya;
- Celebrated South Korean business leaders’ recent announcement to bring billions of dollars in investment to the U.S. with Chairman and co-CEO of SK Holdings Co. Ltd. Chey Tae-Won;
- Met with AmCham Chairman James Kim;
- Spoke with U.S. embassy personnel in Seoul.