Rep.-elect Dan Go: 'I'm deeply concerned about the US-Korea alliance'

Dan Go (Go Won-young), 41, a Korean American Democrat elected to the US House of Representatives, said Wednesday (local time) that he is deeply concerned about the state of the US-South Korea alliance and pledged to do everything in his power to restore it.

Speaking at a press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, Go said, "I am very concerned about the US-Korea relationship," adding that "the alliance between our two countries must be ironclad — it is an alliance to be proud of."

Go criticized the Trump administration over the mass arrest of Korean workers in Georgia last year, calling it "dangerous both for America's standing as a global leader and for the economic relationship between our two countries," and said that "tariffs suddenly imposed on an ally are shameful." He said he would "do everything possible to restore the US-Korea relationship that I felt was thriving when I served in the Joe Biden administration."

Asked whether agreements reached between the two countries' leaders last year could be delayed by Democratic opposition in a Congress the party now controls, Go said, "I want any agreement to be in the best interest of the US-Korea alliance," but added, "I would like to say that the president's actions are in the best interest of this alliance — but I have not seen that."

On South Korea's desire to advance cooperation with the United States in uranium enrichment and shipbuilding, Go said, "I believe everything the Korean government does out of interest in strengthening the alliance is mutually beneficial. I want to cooperate with an open mind."

Regarding Trump's pursuit of dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Go said he does not believe "the president's intentions are good, nor that the talks will produce productive results for Korea or the United States," and lashed out at Trump for envying Kim for being a dictator.

Go went on to say that Trump appears to show more admiration and respect for North Korea than for South Korea, calling it "a worrying development for everyone living in Korea and the United States." He added, "President Trump is trying to learn how to become a dictator, and we must not play along with that game."

Go said he has been assigned to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and wants to hold Trump accountable. The oversight committee is a key standing committee through which Congress investigates abuses of executive power and allegations of misconduct.

Go lashed out at Trump for having no interest in the welfare of ordinary Americans and focusing instead on accumulating personal wealth. He also strongly criticized Steven Miller, Trump's pick for White House chief of staff, calling him "someone who wants to end the American Dream."

"People are suffering because of a president who does not care for them," Go said. "I want to work really hard to make sure that does not happen."

Go is the seventh Korean American ever elected to the US Congress. He was born to Howard Go (Go Gyeong-ju), a Harvard University professor who served as assistant secretary at the Ministry of Health and Welfare during the Barack Obama administration, and a Lebanese mother.

The press conference brought together Go and other Asian American lawmakers-elect who won seats in Congress in this year's midterm elections. It was hosted by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.