Former Speaker of the House McCarthy: “Korea will be Safer with Trump in Office” [US Republican Party Convention]

“NO” to the question of withdrawing US forces from Korea… also skeptical about reduction
“Much anticipation for resuming nuclear negotiations with North Korea”
Regarding the need for support to Ukraine, “Putin is like Hitler”,

[Milwaukee=Newsis] Correspondent Lee Yoon-hee = Former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy (California) is listening to a question from Korean journalists at the Republican Party Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the 16th (local time). 7/17/2024. , ‘[Milwaukee, Wisconsin=Newsis] Correspondent Lee Yoon-hee = Former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on the 16th (local time) that if former President Donald Trump wins the election, Korea will be safer.’,
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, ‘He predicted that even if the Trump administration returns, it will not withdraw or reduce US troops in Korea, and left open the possibility of resuming nuclear negotiations with North Korea.’,
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, ‘McCarthy met with Korean journalists after holding a press conference for foreign reporters at the Republican Party Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and when asked whether there will be changes to the US forces in Korea if Trump is elected president, he firmly responded, “No.”‘,
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, ‘He further stated, “Remember that when President Trump went to North Korea, they stopped missile testing,” and emphasized, “I believe that with President Trump, Korea will be safer and the world will be safer.”‘,
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, ‘Regarding the suggestion of reducing US forces in Korea, he replied, “I have not seen any desire for reduction.”‘,
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, ‘Some figures in the Republican camp, such as former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, Elbridge Colby, argue that the deployment of US forces in Korea should be reconsidered to focus on competition with China.’,
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, ‘Former President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that South Korea, as well as NATO, must engage in fair defense cost-sharing, leading to speculation that discussions on reducing US forces in Korea could be raised as leverage for defense cost negotiations.’,
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, ‘However, as evident from McCarthy’s remarks, there seems to be no consensus among Republican lawmakers in the US Congress on changing the posture of US forces in Korea.’,
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, ‘McCarthy emphasized that it is not the size of the US forces in Korea that is important, but rather a focus should be placed on substantial defense capabilities.’,
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, ‘He said, “What we are watching in other areas is synergy between the growth of Korea and Japan,” and added, “We must remember that defense capability does not always come from the number of troops, and technology is important. I believe that we will see greater growth in defense capability and will transform into an even larger protective force.”‘,
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[Milwaukee=Newsis] Correspondent Lee Yoon-hee = Former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy holding a press conference for foreign journalists at the Republican Party Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the 16th (local time). 7/17/2024. , ‘He believed that there is a possibility for resuming nuclear negotiations with North Korea.’,
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, ‘McCarthy said, “There are high expectations. Think about what President Trump was able to achieve in the Middle East,” mentioning the Abraham Accords.’,
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, ‘The Abraham Accords, brokered by the US in September 2020 during the Trump administration, established diplomatic relations between Israel and the Arab countries of the UAE and Bahrain.’,
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, ‘Meanwhile, McCarthy took a stance against some hardliners in the Republican Party who argue for discontinuing support for Ukraine, and said there is no need for Europe to fear a second term of the Trump administration.’,
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, ‘JD Vance, a senator from Ohio whom former President Trump nominated as a vice presidential candidate the day before, is a prominent figure who opposed support for Ukraine. Former President Trump has also expressed negative views on NATO alliances, causing concerns for European and Ukrainian countries.’,
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, ‘In this regard, McCarthy expressed his concern, saying, “I think we are very similar to 1938 right now. Putin’s actions look very much like Hitler’s,” and feared, “A new axis of evil could emerge if China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran join forces.”‘,
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, ‘He then added, “I don’t think there is a need to fear a Trump administration (being elected) based on Vance’s grounds,” and stated, “In fact, we(Republican government) expanded our position in Europe and recouped war funds from Europe. In all this, I believe President Trump was correct.”‘,
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