Ex-national security adviser Flynn says U.S.-Korea alliance increasingly economy-based
- Flynn says the U.S.-Korea alliance is pivoting from tanks to trade, claiming the 'produce, create, innovate' Korean economy is now 'part of our economy.'
- The 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty gets a dusty plaque while South Korean firms brag about creating 180,000 U.S. jobs in just six months of 2023.
- Retired generals wax poetic about 'Team Spirit' helicopter rides from the 90s—clearly more fun than negotiating semiconductor subsidies.
- The alliance's new currency is capital, not combined forces; the only 'deterrent' North Korea cares about now might be a tariff bill.
- Military readiness remains the opening act, but the headliner is clearly the balance sheet at the Indo-Pacific Summit.
Brief Summary
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn—who somehow found a podium despite his last job being 'pardon recipient'—told the Indo-Pacific Summit that the Seoul-Washington romance is no longer about stopping North Korean artillery but about chaebol cash flow. He gushed that South Koreans 'produce, create, innovate, and work hard,' making their economy 'part of the United States' economy.' Coincidentally, the Korea-US Alliance Foundation released data showing South Korean firms created over 180,000 U.S. jobs in half a year—a stat that apparently justifies dumping the Cold War script.
Why This Matters
This is your reminder that your 401k is now directly tied to whether Samsung can ship a foldable phone without catching fire. The 'Morning Calm' has been replaced by the 'Morning Grind,' and the only invasion Washington fears now is a hostile takeover of the EV tax credit. Pay attention: every time a Korean executive mentions 'supply chain resilience,' your car loan gets a little more expensive. The real 'nuclear umbrella' is now the one over your local chip fab, not Pyongyang.