{"id":2207114,"date":"2024-11-13T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T23:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207114"},"modified":"2024-11-12T14:22:11","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T05:22:11","slug":"trumps-choice-for-state-and-national-security-adviser-mixed-bag-for-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/trumps-choice-for-state-and-national-security-adviser-mixed-bag-for-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump\u2019s choice for State and National Security Adviser mixed bag for South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
President-elect Donald Trump <\/span>reportedly intends to appoint two hardliners<\/span><\/a> to key foreign policy roles, with Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Representative Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser. Waltz, a retired Green Beret and current congressman from Florida, has voiced <\/span>hawkish views<\/span><\/a> on North Korea and agrees with Trump on <\/span>burden-sharing among U.S. allies<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Rubio, also from Florida, is known for his hawkish approach to foreign adversaries, including <\/span>North Korea<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Cuba<\/span><\/a>. His anti-communist stance has shaped his Senate career, influencing U.S. policy on both Latin America and Asia, where he has <\/span>championed a strong U.S.-ROK alliance<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Rubio and Waltz\u2019s potential confirmation could align U.S. foreign policy more closely with the South Korean Yoon administration\u2019s positions. However, Trump\u2019s history of <\/span>reconsidering appointments<\/span><\/a> remains a factor, and the final confirmations are yet to be determined.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n The appointment of Rubio and Waltz could align Washington and Seoul\u2019s stance toward North Korea, potentially influencing U.S.-ROK defense posturing and military cooperation. While both have championed deterrence measures against North Korea, Waltz once <\/span>asked<\/span><\/a> during a House Hearing on U.S. Strategy in the Indo-Pacific Region in 2022 whether South Korea is prepared to allow U.S. forces to operate from South Korean territory in the defense of Taiwan. President Yoon Suk-yeol <\/span>stated<\/span><\/a> that same year that a potential military conflict between China and Taiwan could raise the likelihood of North Korea\u2019s \u201cprovocations,\u201d and that the U.S.-ROK alliance\u2019s \u201ctop priority\u201d would be to deal with Pyongyang.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, Rubio\u2019s strong opposition to the Cuban government raises questions about Seoul\u2019s <\/span>fledgling diplomatic ties<\/span><\/a> with Havana, which were established earlier this year. As the U.S. Secretary of State, Rubio could exert significant influence on allies, potentially discouraging Seoul from furthering its diplomatic engagement with Cuba \u2014 a relationship seen as a major symbolic victory given Cuba\u2019s historical ties with North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether Rubio and Waltz can exert influence over Trump\u2019s foreign policy remains uncertain, especially given Trump\u2019s record of dismissing high-profile advisers over strategic disagreements. Trump <\/span>dismissed<\/span><\/a> his previous national security adviser, John Bolton, in 2019 due to disputes over how to handle major foreign policy challenges like Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan. Should their hardline views diverge from Trump\u2019s approach, Rubio and Waltz may face similar challenges in shaping U.S. foreign policy.<\/span><\/p>\n