Seoul: Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim emphasized the need for South Korea and the United States to address "common challenges" on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region, as both nations strive to modernize their longstanding alliance.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made these remarks during a forum hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation. The discussions come at a time when Seoul and Washington are working to strengthen their alliance amidst a shifting security landscape, marked by China's rising assertiveness and persistent North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

Kim highlighted the importance of having a shared assessment of the threats faced by both nations, as a foundational step in addressing challenges in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that reinforcing deterrence and maintaining peace and stability are crucial for the prosperity of both countries' peoples.

The U.S. envoy referred to the joint fact sheet, which outlines the outcomes of recent summit talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, as a "special" and "historic" document. Kim reiterated Washington's commitment to fully implementing the agreement's terms.

The fact sheet, released earlier in the month, outlines Seoul's pledge to invest US$350 billion in the U.S. in exchange for Washington reducing "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korean products to 15 percent from 25 percent. Additionally, it includes U.S. support for South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines.

Kim underscored the importance of each element and commitment within the fact sheet and stressed the U.S.'s focus on ensuring their implementation. He praised South Korea as a "model ally," not only in security but also in economic and trade sectors, as the U.S. aims to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.

Kim described South Korea as a nation that takes responsibility for its own defense and burdens, making it an ideal partner for the U.S. in addressing core issues. He expressed the U.S. president's readiness to take necessary measures to establish the U.S. as a manufacturing powerhouse, with South Korea as a key partner.