Sen. Ossoff continues working to strengthen ties between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK)
Sen. Ossoff led a historic economic delegation to the ROK last fall
Georgia is a key destination for ROK Foreign Direct Investment
Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff took to the U.S. Senate floor and secured the confirmation of Philip S. Goldberg as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Last fall, Sen. Ossoff urged the Biden Administration to swiftly nominate an Ambassador to the ROK.
“We need our Ambassador in Seoul. South Korea is one of our most important trading partners. South Korea is one of our most important security partners. Our alliance with the Republic of Korea, Mr. President, is among the most important bilateral relationships that the United States has in the world,”Sen. Ossoff said.
Sen. Ossoff is continuing his work to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the United States and the ROK.
Last November, Sen. Ossoff led a historic economic delegation to the ROK, where he met with key economic and government leaders, including President-elect Yoon, to deepen ties between the two nations and between the ROK and Georgia.
Last month, Sen. Ossoff received President-elect Yoon’s delegation, meeting with Dr. Park Jin and Mr. Cho Tae Yong, who are National Assembly Members and key foreign policy advisors to President-elect Yoon. Dr. Park is President-elect Yoon’s nominee to be the ROK’s Foreign Minister.
In two separate engagements in March, Sen. Ossoff met with ROK Ambassador to the United States Lee Soo-hyuck and Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Young Zhin.
Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s floor remarks.
Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s full remarks below:
SEN. OSSOFF: “Mr. President, this evening I come to the floor of the U.S. Senate, in order to move that we confirm Philip S. Goldberg to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Goldberg currently serves as the United States Ambassador to Columbia. We saw just yesterday North Korea test a ballistic missile. We’ve seen North Korea continue to develop and test ballistic missiles that threaten not just South Korea, not just our allies in the region, but the United States and the entire world. We need our Ambassador in Seoul. South Korea is one of our most important trading partners. South Korea is one of our most important security partners. Our alliance with the Republic of Korea, Mr. President, is among the most important bilateral relationships that the United States has in the world.
“And as the Presiding Officer knows, in our home state of Georgia, a vibrant Korean American community thrives. And Georgia is a key destination for Korean investment, bringing technology jobs, talent, and opportunity to our state and to the entire country. We need a U.S. Ambassador to lead our mission in South Korea. I had the privilege of leading an economic delegation to South Korea in the middle of last year. I sat down at that time with now President-elect Yoon, then candidate Yoon, when he was running for president. I congratulate him on his election. I look forward to working with him. I had the pleasure last month alongside Senators Sullivan and Schatz to host his special delegation to Washington and meet with Foreign Minister Designate Dr. Park. This alliance is essential. And we have to strengthen it. In order to strengthen it, we need to confirm our Ambassador to South Korea.
“And so at this time, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session, to consider the following nominations unblocked, calendars number 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, that the Senate vote on the nominations without intervening action or debate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, that no further motions be in order to the nominations. That any statements related to the nominations be printed in the record, that the President be immediately notified of a Senate’s action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.”
SENATOR REVEREND WARNOCK (PRESIDING OFFICER): “Is there objection? Without objection. The Clerk will report the nominations on block.”
SENATE FLOOR STAFF: “Nominations, Department of State: Mark B. Nathanson of California to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway. John N. Nkengasong of Georgia to be Ambassador at large to combat HIV/AIDS globally. Caroline Kennedy of New York to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia. MaryKay Loss Carlson of Arkansas to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. Philip S. Goldberg of the District of Columbia to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.”
SENATOR REVEREND WARNOCK (PRESIDING OFFICER): “If there’s no further debate, the question is on the nominations En Bloc. All in favor say aye.”
SEN. OSSOFF: “Aye.”
SENATOR REVEREND WARNOCK (PRESIDING OFFICER): “All opposed no. The ayes appear to appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The nominations are confirmed en bloc.”
SEN. OSSOFF: “Mr. President, we look forward to Ambassador Goldberg’s service in Seoul. He will continue his distinguished career in the Foreign Service, and we look forward to working with him.”
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