The U.S.-Korea Partnership Amid 21st Century Challenges

The ROK-U.S. alliance is evolving in response to new pressures in the international system wrought by COVID, conflict, and connectivity. The partnership, and South Korea’s vision of itself as a “Global Pivotal State,” remain based on shared values and common threat perceptions. But as the U.S. and South Korea look to safeguard their interests, remain technologically competitive, mitigate nuclear threats, and promote a stable and peaceful regional environment conducive to the free flow of global trade, important questions remain on how the two partners can work separately, together, and in concert with like-minded partners to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Join Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) for two panels featuring distinguished U.S. and Korean speakers for in-depth discussions about Korea’s challenges, its role in ensuring regional harmony, as well as opportunities and challenges in Korea’s technology and trade sectors. A public reception will follow the panel discussions.

AGENDA:

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET | Greetings and Introduction

Introductory Welcoming Remarks

• KIM Gheewhan, President of the Korea Foundation
• Ernie Thrasher, Global Trustee, Asia Society; CEO & Chief Marketing Officer, Xcoal Energy & Resources

Keynote Address (virtual)

• PARK Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. ET | Korea’s Security

Experts will explore how the U.S.-ROK alliance, including through new mechanisms like the Nuclear Consultative Group, will shape the regional and global security environment. What are the opportunities and challenges ahead for the alliance as Korea looks to cement its role as a Global Pivotal State?

• AHN Ho-Young, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States
• HAN Suk-Hee, President of the Institute for National Security Strategy and Professor at Yonsei University
• Allison Hooker, Senior Vice President at American Global Strategies
• Sue Mi Terry, Director of the Asia Program and the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy
• Daniel Russel, Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute (Moderator)

5:45 – 6:45 p.m. ET | Korea’s Tech and Trade

This discussion will cover China’s role in driving changes in the global high-tech industry, how the U.S. and South Korea are responding, and how the two countries can seize opportunities together in STEM education and cutting-edge tech developments. How can the semiconductor supply chain and the future of data flows and management be restructured, and how can international investment be reconciled with restrictive domestic regulation?

• LEE Jaemin, Professor of Law, Seoul National University School of Law
• SON Ji-Won, Director-General, Technology Policy Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
• SON Sang Soo, Vice President, SK Hynix
• Edlyn Levine, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of America’s Frontier Fund
• LEE Chung Min, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and University Professor at the Institute of Security Convergence, KAIST (Moderator)

6:45 – 7:30 p.m. ET | Reception