KEI Live

Sheena Chestnut Greitens sits down with Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, the Republic of Korea’s ambassador to the United States. Recorded before a live audience at The University of Texas at Austin on December 3, the conversation explores the deepening alignment between Seoul and Washington.

Ambassador Kang and Dr. Greitens discuss the implementation of the recent $350 billion Korean government-led investment in the United States, focusing on seven key sectors including shipbuilding, semiconductors, and nuclear energy. The discussion addresses the challenges of workforce training and visa policy following recent immigration enforcement actions in Georgia.

The conversation also covers the shifting geopolitical landscape, specifically the implications of deepened military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Finally, the ambassador outlines priorities for modernizing the alliance, including the transfer of wartime operational control and cooperation on nuclear fuel cycles and nuclear-powered submarines.

Academic Session:

Following the fireside chat with Ambassador Kang, the program continued with an academic panel examining U.S.–ROK cooperation across security, technology, and economic policy.

Moderator:

Robert Oppenheim, Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin

Panelists:

Lee Sung-hwan, Director-General for Diplomatic Strategy and Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lee Hyo-young, Associate Professor, Korea National Diplomatic Academy

Michael Roberts, Senior Fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Hudson Institute

Jaedo Choi, Assistant Professor of Economics, The University of Texas at Austin

This event was supported by the Asia Policy Program at The University of Texas at Austin, the Clements Center for National Security, the Strauss Center for International Security and Law, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the Korea Economic Institute of America.

Social Links:

Website: https://keia.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korea-economic-institute-of-america/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoreaEconInstitute/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreaeconinst/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/koreaeconinst

[KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.]

On December 1st, 2025 the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, in partnership with Korea Economic Institute of America and the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were thrilled to welcome Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha and a panel of experts to discuss the importance of the growing partnership between the Republic of Korea and the State of Georgia.

Why Georgia Matters for South Korea: Georgia is home to some of the largest Korean investments in the United States, including Hyundai Motor Group’s $7.6 billion Metaplant–the biggest economic development project in state history–and significant supply-chain growth across the state.

South Korea is now one of Georgia’s top foreign partners in manufacturing, job creation, and workforce development. Korean companies are strengthening the state’s capabilities in advanced production, technology, clean energy, and training programs that support U.S. competitiveness and economic security.

This public program brought together senior policymakers, industry experts, and academic leaders to examine the intersection of economic security, innovation, technology competition, and the United States’ evolving partnership with South Korea. Ambassador Kyung-wha Kang delivered opening remarks, followed by an academic session featuring experts on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, supply-chain resilience, and the future of U.S.-Korea technological cooperation. The conversation came at a pivotal moment as both countries invest heavily in advanced technologies and seek to strengthen secure, resilient supply chains.

Participants:

Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha

Panel:

Lee Sung-hwan, Director-General for Diplomatic Strategy and Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lee Hyo-young, Associate Professor, Korean National Diplomatic Academy

Ryan Fedasiuk, Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Minjai Cho, Vice President of Absolics Business Innovation Division, SKC

Jae Kim, President, Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce

Moderated by: Jenny Jun, Assistant Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs

Social Links:

Website: https://keia.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korea-economic-institute-of-america/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoreaEconInstitute/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreaeconinst/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/koreaeconinst

[KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.]

America is racing to meet growing commercial and defense demands for ships, and South Korea—one of the world’s leading shipbuilders—is emerging as a vital partner. Hanwha’s landmark 2024 acquisition of Philly Shipyard signaled a new era of trans-Pacific collaboration, with both governments now rallying behind the “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA)” initiative.

But big ambitions face real-world challenges. From skilled-labor shortages to rising material costs and uncertain long-term demand, what will it take for the U.S. and Korea to turn MASGA’s promise into a sustainable partnership?

Join KEI for an engaging discussion on the opportunities and obstacles ahead for U.S.–Korea maritime cooperation—and what success could mean for both economies.

[KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

In this live Q&A at the 1st Channel A CHAIRS Forum on October 21, 2025, KEI President and CEO Scott Snyder answers questions from Yonsei University's Youngshik Bong about U.S.–South Korea relations under Presidents Donald Trump and Lee Jae Myung. The conversation ranges from the APEC Summit’s role in upcoming tariff talks and the impact of Trump’s negotiation style to questions about whether new trade deals mark the start of a long-term economic reordering. President Snyder discusses the Supreme Court case on IEEPA authority, the meaning of “engagement without confrontation,” and the personal and diplomatic dynamics between Trump and Lee. He also assesses Lee Jae Myung’s first months in office, prospects for modernizing the alliance, and the intersection of trade, security, and U.S. domestic politics—including how the midterm elections could shape Washington’s Indo-Pacific policies.

[KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.]

South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung administration has embraced what it calls “national interest–driven pragmatic diplomacy.” While this approach embraces a strong U.S.–Korea alliance, it also raises key questions about Seoul’s evolving relationships with its regional neighbors, China and Japan.

Will the Lee government return to “strategic ambiguity” as a way to mend ties with the Xi Jinping government? What is the administration’s China policy, and how is it viewed from Beijing?

Meanwhile, South Korea–Japan relations have continued to improve, but the election of Sanae Takaichi raises some doubts about whether this momentum will be sustained.

Ms. Shihoko Goto, Vice President of Programs and Director of the Asia Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute, and Dr. Sungmin Cho, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Sungkyunkwan University, will tackle these and other questions on an exclusive panel moderated by Dr. Ellen Kim, KEI’s Director of Academic Affairs.

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

APEC 2025 will facilitate high-level dialogue between member nations, including major trading partners such as the United States, China, Korea, and Japan. This marks one of the first opportunities for multilateralism between leaders following new administrations entering APEC capitals across both Asia and North America. 

What impact will this have on bilateral and regional trade and policy? How can APEC strengthen Asia-Pacific cooperation amidst the rapid development of emerging technologies? How has Korea helped progress toward these goals? 

Join the Korea Economic Institute of America for an informed discussion co-hosted with the National Center for APEC on what to expect out of this year’s APEC forum and how it will shape relations across the Indo-Pacific.

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

The United States, South Korea, and Japan are enhancing their trilateral cooperation to secure natural gas supply chains in East Asia. Recent strategic agreements and natural gas developments highlight the partners’ focus on developing cooperation frameworks to mitigate both market and geopolitical challenges.

Dr. Seong-ik Oh, Director General for the Office of Central Land Tribunal at Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, joins KEI’s program to share his research into these cooperation frameworks, discuss potential pitfalls, and analyze the future potential of trilateral energy cooperation. His research will appear in the Fall/Winter 2025 issue of Korea Policy, KEI’s flagship journal, this December.

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

Following the signing of a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” between North Korea and Russia on June 19, 2024, ties between the two countries have only warmed as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year. This year, North Korea-Russia relations have notably expanded beyond the security domain, whilst at the same time, deepening within the realm of security.  This heightened relationship, which both sides now refer to as an “alliance,” poses an ever-increasing threat to Washington, its alliance with Seoul, and the broader international community.

Such rapprochement between North Korea and Russia comes at a time when the U.S.-South Korea alliance faces important challenges, not least the commitments and expectations of both countries with respect to their alliance. The need to strengthen U.S.-South Korea ties—however difficult—has never been greater, both in combating mutual threats and furthering cooperation in new areas.

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

The first year of the Trump administration in the United States and the first several months of the Lee administration in South Korea have brought significant changes to both domestic politics and foreign policy. As Americans adjust to this political transition, domestic and international issues remain at the forefront of public attention. 

With US foreign policy more significant than ever due to ongoing geopolitical challenges in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, KEI, in partnership with YouGov, examined where American attitudes stand with regard to US-Korea relations. What are American opinions on the alliance’s role on the Korean Peninsula and beyond? How do Americans view US-Korea relations today? How do Americans differ in these outlooks?

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]

U.S.–South Korea relations have regained momentum after the election of President Lee Jae Myung in June, with the two sides signing a record trade deal in July and President Lee visiting Washington for a White House summit in August.

Yet both governments continue to confront pressing issues, including tariff negotiations, alliance modernization, and regional and global challenges involving North Korea and China. Managing divergent priorities and policy preferences will shape perceptions of alliance credibility and commitment.

At the same time, emerging areas of economic collaboration are beginning to take shape, creating opportunities to offset these frictions and expand trade even further.

Speakers:

Bruce Klingner, Senior Fellow at the Mansfield Foundation

[This material is distributed by KEI on behalf of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.]