Lead

Two Korean American lawmakers have underscored their commitment to deepening economic and security partnerships between the United States and South Korea, speaking at separate events in Washington and Seoul. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) both highlighted the importance of the alliance, while addressing challenges ranging from trade tensions to regional security threats.

Coverage Comparison

Sen. Andy Kim, the first Korean American member of the Senate, participated in an event hosted by the Korean American Grassroots Conference in Washington on June 23. He expressed optimism about the future of the U.S.-South Korea relationship despite lingering tariff tensions. "I still believe the relationship between the U.S. and South Korea is very strong," Kim said, noting that the Trump administration's tariffs hindered efforts to maximize economic partnerships. "But I am going to continue to try to strengthen this (relationship) and push forward."

Kim also pointed to South Korea's growing investment in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, specifically the Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, which was acquired by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha in late 2024. "I was just at the Philly Shipyard a couple of weeks ago, seeing the incredible investment that Hanwha has made," he said. "I still think that there's a lot of opportunity for this relationship to grow even stronger, and I am going to do everything I humanly can as a Korean American U.S. senator to bring that about."

Rep. Young Kim, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, voiced expectations for the incoming U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Michelle Steel, whose Senate confirmation was reported. In a separate video message delivered at the Korean Peninsula Symposium hosted by Yonhap News Agency on June 26, Kim called for closer cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to build joint deterrence.

Key Claims

  • Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Young Kim highlighted their commitment to strengthening economic and other partnerships with South Korea during events in Washington.
  • South Korea has made growing investments in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including the Philly Shipyard, which was acquired by Hanwha in late 2024.
  • Rep. Young Kim expressed expectations for the role of incoming U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Michelle Steel, who was confirmed by the Senate.
  • Sen. Andy Kim accused Michelle Steel of making racist remarks against Asian Americans.
  • Rep. Young Kim called for closer trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan to build joint deterrence amid deepening ties between North Korea, China, and Russia.
  • U.S. Rep. Ami Bera described the U.S.-Korea relationship as an important key relationship for the stability of East Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

Perspectives

Sen. Andy Kim

Expressed confidence in the strength of the U.S.-South Korea relationship despite tariff tensions, emphasizing continued efforts to strengthen economic partnerships and highlighting South Korean investment in U.S. shipbuilding.

Rep. Young Kim

Advocated for enhanced trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, describing the partnership as one of the most important strategic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and calling for joint deterrence against threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

U.S. Rep. Ami Bera

Described the U.S.-South Korea relationship as an important key relationship for the stability of East Asia and the Korean Peninsula.