South OC Times

U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) recently traveled to Taiwan and Singapore with bipartisan Congressional delegations led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10). The purpose of the visits was to engage with senior elected officials, defense officials, and business leaders in both regions.

Rep. Kim, who serves as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, was part of the first Congressional delegation to visit Taiwan following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. During her stay from May 26-30, 2024, she met with President Lai, Vice President Hsiao, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung, Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, Chamber members, and defense officials. The delegation included Chairman McCaul, Joe Wilson (SC-02), Andy Barr (KY-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06).

Following her visit to Taiwan, Rep. Kim attended the 21st annual International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 30 – June 1, 2024. She met with U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Jonathan Kaplan, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, South Korean Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, South Korean Deputy Minister of National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo. The delegation also included Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Joe Courtney (CT-02).

"Strengthening relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is important now more than ever as we see growing aggression in the region," said Rep. Young Kim. "I appreciated the opportunity to have productive discussions with President Lai and other senior elected and defense officials on addressing backlogged arms sales, promoting deterrence, and advancing democracy. I also am grateful to have met with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Singaporean Prime Minister Wong, and senior defense officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue who are on the front lines of protecting freedom and deterring aggression around the world. As Indo-Pacific Subcommittee chairwoman, I will keep working to achieve peace through strength and ensure America leads on the world stage."