When U.S. presidents visit South Korea, one place that is almost always on their itinerary is the Demilitarized Zone. The inter-Korean border serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and a convenient spot for photo-ops to appear resolute and firm in the face of a hostile enemy.

But President Joe Biden did not adhere to tradition on his first trip to Asia. Instead he visited Samsung’s semiconductor plant and Hyundai Motor Group and spoke about supply chains for microchips and investment in the U.S. Cooperation on critical and emerging technologies was also high on the agenda during his summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, as Seoul signed on to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.