0
President Lee Jae-myung (center) poses with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Andy Kim during their meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on August 18. / Source: Presidential Office

President Lee Jae-myung met with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Andy Kim in Seoul on August 18 to discuss strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance, boosting economic cooperation, and addressing regional and global issues.

According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, Lee expressed anticipation for his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump, saying he hoped it would “serve as an opportunity to achieve tangible results in various fields, including shipbuilding cooperation, in a calm and constructive atmosphere.”

Lee stressed that the Korea-U.S. alliance is “a blood alliance” that should continue to evolve into a “future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance,” covering not only security but also the economy and cutting-edge technologies. He urged the U.S. Congress to play a central role in supporting this progress.

The senators reaffirmed that congressional support for the ironclad alliance is bipartisan and emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with South Korea, a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region, amid rapidly changing global dynamics.

They welcomed Lee’s decision to visit Japan before his U.S. summit, calling it a demonstration of his strong commitment to enhancing trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo, and a step that would further elevate South Korea’s global standing.

The senators also praised South Korea as a global economic powerhouse and a leader in advanced technology innovation, pledging that Congress would work to ensure concrete outcomes in bilateral cooperation.

Both sides agreed on the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement based on the firm Korea-U.S. alliance and close coordination on regional security matters.

Duckworth, a Democratic senator from Illinois serving her second term, is a former helicopter pilot who lost both legs during the Iraq War. Kim, a freshman senator from New Jersey, is the first Korean American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Both are Democrats.