U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Urges South Korea to Join in Countering China

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a member of the Republican Party, has called on South Korea to take a clear stance amid the U.S.-China power struggle.

Mast expressed this position during a virtual speech at a conference hosted by the Global International Affairs Institute (GIA) in Washington, D.C., on the 24th.

Mast stated, "The U.S. must be recognized as a partner that offers values that no other country can provide, and it should not be taken advantage of."

He specifically pointed out that "some in South Korea are trying to support both the U.S. and China, and they do not want to go beyond the balancing and countering role against China in the region (Indo-Pacific) that we are emphasizing and focusing on."

He added, "If you try to satisfy both sides, ultimately everyone will suffer, and the U.S. will perceive it as a slight." This has been interpreted as a demand for South Korea to adopt a clear position in the U.S.-China power struggle.

Clear Stance Required from Allies

Mast's comments came in response to a question about 'Views on the Future of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance' posed to Shin Kyung-soo, Secretary General of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation.

Using the analogy of people lifting a heavy object together, Mast explained the alliance dynamics.

He said, "When 4 to 6 people are lifting a very heavy object above their heads, taller team members support more weight, and those who are smaller naturally support less. However, some merely raise their hands without actually putting in effort, which is similar to situations between countries."

He continued, "Trying to support one boat with one hand and another boat with the other hand will never work," stressing that "the attempt to support both the U.S. and China simultaneously will ultimately fail and lead to deteriorating relations."

Reestablishing U.S. Prioritization and Alliance Relations

Mast, who represents a district in Florida, is known as a MAGA (Make America Great Again) aligned member and emphasizes 'America First' in foreign and security policy.

He criticized U.S. diplomats for not asking, "What does the U.S. truly need from specific countries or regions?" and argued that building a genuine partnership should stem from such questions.

Mast cited former President Donald Trump’s pressures for NATO member countries to share defense costs as an example, evaluating that the past alliance structure was a dependent relationship rather than a partnership where "the U.S. carries everything."

He added, "Trump is making efforts to reset the situation so that the U.S. is not taken advantage of and that U.S. assistance is not taken for granted."

Image source: U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (Republican Party) / gettyimageskorea