By Mona Austin
U.S. President Joe Biden will embark on his first trip to Asia as the American leader on Thursday. The trip comes amid the Russia-Ukraine War, an expanding NATO alliance and rocky domestic affairs. Biden will travel to Seol, Republic of Korea and Japan to smooth out relations that were aggravted durin the Trump Administration and reaffirm commitments to treaties and alliances. The WHote House says the trip will firther build on "intensive diplomacy" that the U.S. has engaged in with the Indo-Pacific reion for more than a year.
Recent missile tests by North Korea have heightened sensitivies about safety in the region, particularly with China's backing. On the Wednesday prior to departure, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor spoke to the press about Biden's goals and prorities for the journey He said the U.S. is aware that misslle strikes could occur while Biden is travelin but warned that the U.S. and its allies are ready to retaliate if necessary. Based on the timing of the trip eh was asked to what extent the president's message is a "cautionary tale" to warn China not to do anythin similar to what ahappend with Ukraine, referring to the U.S. and allies keeping Russia from runing the attacked country. Sullivan replied,
" The messae is affirmin what the world can look like of the democracies of open societies 's stand together, shape the rules of the road efine the security architecture of the reion to reinforce stron, powerful historic alliances." He added the message is positive and not intended for any country or group in particular.
The president will end his trip in Japan on Sunday.
Following Sullivan's Q&A Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre outlined Biden's plans as follows:
- In Korea, President Biden will meet with the newly inaugurated Korean President, President Yoon, who campaigned on the platform of strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance and on improving relations between the (Republic of Korea) ROK and Japan.
- President Biden will engage with technology and manufacturing leaders in Korea who are mobilizing billions of dollars in investment here in the United States to create thousands of good-paying American jobs.
- He will see American and Korean troops standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of our collective security and consult on the challenge posed by the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs.
And he will highlight the truly global nature of the U.S.-ROK alliance, from climate and energy and technology to economic growth and investment.