VIDEO: The Detention of Ambassador Morse Tan and Risks to the U.S. Alliance

The detention of former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Morse Tan has cast a stark light on the troubling direction of South Korea under President Lee Jae-Myung. For more than five weeks, Tan has been denied an exit visa, effectively held as a political hostage for exercising his freedom of speech. His offense? Publicly criticizing Lee’s government at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., for its increasingly tyrannical treatment of political opponents.

This is not how a close ally behaves. A former Trump administration official, Tan now finds himself trapped by what appears to be politicized lawfare. Appeals have been denied, and the situation demands urgent attention from the highest levels in Washington. President Trump should make clear that such mistreatment of an American citizen is completely unacceptable—and that there will be consequences if it continues.

Free Ambassador Tan now.

Shipbuilding Cooperation Amid Warning Signs

These developments come at a particularly sensitive time. As the United States seeks to rebuild its naval power to deter Chinese aggression, some policymakers are advocating deeper reliance on South Korean shipyards. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee overseeing East Asia, recently proposed that South Korea could construct hulls and components for 75-80% of certain U.S. Navy vessels, with sensitive technologies and final assembly handled in America.

Speaking at a Korea Foundation-RAND forum, Bera argued that exclusive domestic production is unrealistic given U.S. workforce and capacity shortages. Proponents highlight South Korea’s advanced industrial base and suggest models like AUKUS for technology sharing. South Korean firms such as Hanwha and HD Hyundai have expressed interest in partnerships, including training programs and investments in U.S. yards.

However, outsourcing critical naval construction to a nation showing authoritarian tendencies and anti-American policies carries enormous risks. U.S. law already restricts overseas warship building for good reason. With China’s shipbuilding capacity dwarfing America’s by more than 230 times, and experts estimating decades to rebuild domestic capabilities independently, the temptation for shortcuts is real—but so are the strategic vulnerabilities.

The Deepening China-North Korea Axis

These alliance concerns are compounded by fresh moves between Beijing and Pyongyang. China’s top political adviser Wang Huning recently concluded a visit to North Korea, meeting Kim Jong-un and pledging closer party-to-party ties, enhanced cooperation, and implementation of high-level understandings reached by Xi Jinping and Kim. The two sides commemorated the 65th anniversary of their Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with renewed commitments to strategic alignment.

This is no mere diplomatic formality. China has long enabled North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Pyongyang has reciprocated by sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Further “closeness” signals potential escalation in military coordination at a time when the Indo-Pacific faces heightened tensions, including threats to Taiwan.

Time for Clear-Eyed Realism

South Korea has been a vital partner, but alliances must be grounded in mutual respect for democratic values, rule of law, and shared security interests. The mistreatment of Ambassador Tan, combined with domestic political consolidation and warming ties between America’s adversaries, should give U.S. leaders pause before expanding defense-industrial dependence.

America must accelerate its own shipbuilding revival while holding allies to high standards. Protecting U.S. citizens abroad, maintaining deterrence against the China-North Korea axis, and ensuring reliable partnerships are not optional—they are essential for national security in an increasingly dangerous world.

The interview with Ambassador Tan is essential viewing for anyone concerned about these unfolding developments. The message from Seoul should not be ignored.

The post VIDEO: The Detention of Ambassador Morse Tan and Risks to the U.S. Alliance appeared first on Save the Persecuted Christians.

_______
Read More at Save the Persecuted Christians