The trip is aimed at “further deepening ties between our governments, our economies and our peoples,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “This trip will promote the Biden-Harris administration’s firm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to US alliances with the Republic of Korea and Japan.”
The voyage will feature a series of North Korean weapons tests that have alarmed U.S. officials and shown the kingdom’s constant threats. The country’s dictator, Kim Jong Un, promised during a massive military parade this week to “strengthen and develop” his nuclear forces at the “highest possible speed”, offering a taste of his ambitions for the coming months. .
The four-day trip to Asia comes at a critical time in Biden’s presidency as he seeks to keep the United States and its allies united against Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine amid growing civilian casualties and escalating fighting. The conflict in Europe was a consumer issue in the second year of the presidency, with the US pledging billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and hitting Russia with a series of economic sanctions. Amid Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, Biden stressed that he believes US alliances in the Indo-Pacific are the key to maintaining a “rule-based order” around the world.
At the same time, the conflict has highlighted the continuing threats posed by historical enemies such as Russia, even as Biden works to upgrade US foreign policy toward Asia in a bid to counter China’s growing influence. Biden is the third consecutive US president to express a desire to return to the region, but the trip, which comes 16 months after his presidency, is later than most presidents have visited Asia. Biden’s journey was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
White House aides insist they are able to focus on Asia at a time when the world is consumed by the crisis in Ukraine. And officials say they have been pleasantly surprised by the willingness of US allies in Asia, including Japan and South Korea, to join an international sanctions regime designed to crush Russia’s economy. Japan and South Korea have also diverted some of their gas supplies to Europe as it works to wean itself off Russian energy imports.
Biden spoke by telephone with Yoon, a conservative former prosecutor, last month after being named the winner of elections in South Korea to replace outgoing President Moon Jae-in. During the call, the White House said at the time, the couple discussed, among other things, the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and other global issues such as Covid-19 and climate change.
North Korea, which Biden recognized as his biggest foreign policy challenge during his presidency, has resumed provocative weapons tests before Yun was sworn in. The Biden government tried to restart diplomacy with Pyongyang, but received little response. Yoon, meanwhile, has vowed to harden South Korea’s line toward the North after Moon sought to cultivate diplomacy – including helping then-President Donald Trump arrange a series of summits with Kim.
During Trump’s last visit to Seoul as president, he made a detour to the demilitarized zone, where he shook hands with Kim and crossed the border into North Korea. Previous presidents have also visited the heavily fortified border area, but it was unclear whether Biden planned a similar stance.
Biden has already had multiple interactions with Kissinda this year since taking office as prime minister last fall. Most recently, the two leaders attended special summits in Brussels, Belgium, in March, convened amid Russian attacks on Ukraine. Earlier that month, the four Quad leaders had a call, during which they agreed to meet in person in Tokyo later in the year.
Biden’s visit to South Korea and Japan also comes as US officials closely monitor China’s actions related to the war in Ukraine. The Biden government has repeatedly said that Beijing would face serious consequences if it aided the Kremlin’s efforts in Ukraine, and has strongly opposed Chinese efforts to help spread Russian propaganda and misinformation.
The trip to Asia will take place days after Biden hosts the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Washington on May 12 and 13. Announcing the summit, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the rally would “demonstrate the United States’ continued commitment to ASEAN, recognizing its central role in providing sustainable solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges and to honoring 45 years of US-ASEAN relations “.
