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U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivers a speech before American service members stationed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom on June 13 (local time). / Photo courtesy of EPA, Yonhap News Agency

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is significantly ramping up his media presence on the heels of the recently concluded peace memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran. In addition to his upcoming attendance at the formal signing ceremony for the peace MOU in Switzerland on June 19, Vance has released a new memoir, intensifying moves that many view as the beginning of a foundational bid for the 2028 presidential race.

In an interview with Fox News on June 16 (local time), Vice President Vance stated, "The role of the vice president is to speak not only with those who supported me but also with those who did not." He added, "I believe that even if I disagree with most people, I must still attempt to engage in dialogue with them."

Analysts interpret his remarks, which underscored the necessity of engaging with critics and non-supporters alike, as a strategic maneuver aimed at courting moderate and skeptical voters.

Furthermore, Vance highlighted his executive credentials in foreign policy and national security by emphasizing the pivotal role he played in the recent negotiations that led to the peace MOU with Iran.

Immediately following the conclusion of the peace MOU, Vance, who served as the chief representative of the U.S. negotiating team, embarked on a whirlwind media tour starting June 15, appearing on major networks including ABC, NBC, and CNN to break down the details of the agreement and promote its achievements.

On the same day, the Vice President also published his latest memoir, titled "Communion." The book chronicles his personal spiritual journey, charting his path from a Protestant upbringing through atheism and ultimately to his conversion to Catholicism.

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"Communion," a memoir written by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. / Photo courtesy of AFP, Yonhap News Agency

Foreign media outlets, including The Guardian, are analyzing the publication of this memoir as another strategic leap ahead of the upcoming presidential race.

In the United States, it is a common practice for politicians contemplating a run for the White House to publish books as a vehicle to articulate their political philosophies and core messages. While such figures typically release memoirs after their terms have concluded, Vice President Vance took the unusual step of publishing his book while still in office.

Given that Vance previously leveraged the nationwide fame garnered from his 2016 bestseller "Hillbilly Elegy" to expand his political footprint and ultimately secure the vice presidency, the release of this latest memoir is widely interpreted as a calculated move with his eyes set on the 2028 election.

In fact, during an appearance on CBS on June 14 to discuss his memoir, Vice President Vance openly signaled his presidential ambitions, stating that he would "discuss a potential 2028 presidential run with my wife."

Vance is scheduled to attend the formal peace treaty signing ceremony in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on June 19, and will also oversee the subsequent nuclear negotiations projected to span the next 60 days.

Consequently, political observers in the United States increasingly view Vice President Vance, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as a leading contender anchoring the next generation of Republican presidential hopefuls.

                                                                                                            Park Jin-sook