The most enduring alliances in history have not been built on treaties alone but along with trust — and trust begins with listening. I came to Washington as one of 300 members of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly, to hear what Americans see, what they expect and what they believe this partnership must become.

It is a conversation that is long overdue.

America has kept the torch of freedom burning — not only for itself, but even in the farthest corners of the world. South Korea is among them. We know it. And we will never forget it.

Think of a simple image. The New York City subway — old, loud and uncomfortable — still carries the weight of infrastructure built a century ago. Seoul subway, by contrast, is newer, quieter, cheaper and more expansive. This gap is not accidental. It was built on the diligence and determination of the Korean people — and made possible by the fact that, for seventy years, the United States has borne the burden of South Korea’s security.

That allowed Korean capital, energy and ingenuity to be devoted to building a nation rather than defending one. The least we can do is acknowledge it — honestly and clearly.

The era of strategic ambiguity is over. There are only two choices: Stand with the free world  — clearly, without conditions — or do not stand at all. We, the People Power Party stand, without conditions.

The current regime has declared the full restoration........

© Independent Journal Review