Shin Dong-choon, President of the National Union for Free Korea, Ph.D. in Public Administration  

The Power Behind MAGA

U.S. President Trump wields overwhelming influence in domestic and international politics, backed by strengthened political support. Trump won the 2024 presidential election with the absolute support of the American people, the Republican Party became the majority in both the House and Senate, and the number of governors also surpassed that of the Democratic Party. The Supreme Court has a majority of conservative justices.

MAGA is a brand that emerged during the Reagan era, a slogan for America's revival that Trump has brought back. Conservative think tanks such as The Heritage Foundation and Hudson Institute have developed the policies, and organizations like CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) are driving the momentum. MAGA is being concretized in various areas such as MASA (Safe) and MAHA (Healthy).

Opposing Forces

The Democratic Party, legacy media, and some Korean media outlets have expressed distrust and are strongly criticizing the policies of Trump and the Republican Party. The anti-Trump stance of the Democratic Party and the deep state faction began when Trump first entered politics.

A few days ago, the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old young man who rallied across the United States chanting MAGA, occurred. Paradoxically, however, the number of Americans supporting MAGA is expected to increase further. While Trump is effectively suppressing the opposition, some media outlets in Korea are still inciting anti-Trump sentiment. It is now time to correctly understand Trump and the situation in American politics and consider national interests.

Background and Key Policies of MAGA

The background behind the rebirth of MAGA is a great awakening to the current state of America. Even Elon Musk has warned, "America is on the verge of bankruptcy," regarding the accumulated fiscal and trade deficits (fiscal deficit of $1.8 trillion and goods trade deficit of $1.2 trillion as of the end of 2024). The Democrats' misguided foreign policy has led to a loss of American leadership and a decline in credibility, and the superpower America is facing strong challenges and threats from China.

The globalist and deep state forces, including the Democratic Party, actively supported China's accession to the WTO in 2001. The political circles, Wall Street, and Hollywood colluded to pursue mutual interests, and as a result, China became the "world's factory" with low labor costs and rapidly rose to become a G2 nation. Based on its economic power, China advocated for a "new type of major power relationship" confronting the United States and is engaged in a fierce competition with the ambition to surpass America by achieving the "China Dream" by its 100th anniversary in 2049.

MAGA criticizes the failures of the Obama and Biden administrations of the Democratic Party and presents alternatives. The Democratic Party has focused on allowing illegal immigration (Sanctuary Cities), DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion) policies, preferential treatment for LGBTQ+, tolerance for crime, allegations of election fraud (mail-in voting, ineligible voters from overseas, counterfeit ballots, fake driver's licenses, etc.), and "killing Trump." The two impeachment attempts based on false information, 92 indictments, two assassination attempts, and Biden's cognitive decline and the "autopen" signature controversy are representative examples. Externally, the withdrawal from Afghanistan and nuclear and economic negotiations with Iran, as well as deals with China and Ukraine, have deepened the crisis in American leadership.

In response, MAGA is pursuing policies such as: ▲Identifying and repatriating illegal immigrants ▲Cracking down on crime and blocking drug trafficking ▲Streamlining government operations (DOGE operation) ▲Tax cuts ▲Strengthening educational autonomy and allowing Christian education ▲Abolishing DEI policies ▲Expelling transgender individuals from the military and sports ▲Reviving the Department of War ▲Reforming the election system.

Anti-China Stance and International Policy

Since coming to power in 2016, Trump has strengthened his anti-China policy, and in his second term, he appears to be implementing a scenario for China's collapse through "decoupling" and "derisking" strategies. The trade war is a means to correct external trade imbalances, promote the revival of manufacturing, and achieve energy independence, as well as a core policy tool for adjusting security and international relations. The United States is engaging in tariff negotiations based on its immense purchasing power and is transforming its external trade deficit into a mutually beneficial trade relationship.

Through this, Trump has vowed to "RESET" the economy and security and usher in "America's Golden Age" by building an American-led world order. Externally, he has weakened the totalitarian bloc, including China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela, while strengthening the free world and enhancing military power. NATO has resolved to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP under Trump's pressure. Bold actions have also been taken, such as bombing Iranian nuclear facilities and sinking Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels.

Value of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and Promotion of National Interest

Trump is a president who leads MAGA by prioritizing U.S. national interests. South Korea needs a strategic approach to maintain and promote its national interests, irrespective of personal likes or dislikes.

The United States is our ally, based on the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States. Therefore, strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance is fundamental to dealing with the Trump administration. The value of the ROK-U.S. alliance lies in the defense of liberal democracy and a market economy. Basic human rights and the rule of law must be the foundation of state affairs, and a favorable environment for businesses should be created while eliminating anti-business systems.

The path for us is "Anmi-Gyeongmi" (Securing America, focusing on America), not "Anmi-Gyeongjung" (Securing America, focusing on China) as mentioned by the president during his visit to the U.S. If policies to practice this are implemented, we can be confident in negotiations with the United States. It is now time for the MKGA (Make Korea Great Again) movement to make South Korea great again.

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