South Korea is a leading global economy and close ally of the United States. Even with its status and the explosion of cultural touchpoints like K-Pop, South Korea’s history and politics are still relatively unknown to many in the United States. With rising tensions throughout the Asia-Pacific region, what will the U.S.-Korea partnership look like over the next few years?

Watch a presentation from Global Minnesota and the Korea Economic Institute featuring representatives from both the U.S. State Department and the Korean Embassy. They shared important context about the strategic relationship between the United States and South Korea, the ongoing tension on the Korean peninsula, and the outlook for Korea’s economic, political, and cultural influence globally.

Panelists

Andy Hong, Program Officer at Korea Economic Institute

Keome Rowe, Republic of Korea Desk Officer at U.S. Department of State

Jiho Lee, Counselor to the Embassy of ROK in the United States 

Full participant bios available here.

Moderator: Anne Linnee

Following a 21-year career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Anne Linnee retired from the State Department in 2023. During her career she primarily worked on issues in, and related to, Africa and Asia. Her overseas assignments included the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Mauritania and South Africa, as well as Washington, DC. Her final assignment was as the U.S. Consul General in Durban, South Africa.

She has a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota and a M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington, DC. She speaks Spanish, French and Mandarin.

Thanks to promotional sponsor the Committee on Foreign Relations — Minnesota and the Minnesota International NGO Network.

Presented in partnership with the Korea Economic Institute. KEI’s Future of Korea is an outreach program that strengthens interest in U.S.-Korea relations with community members, scholars, and students outside of the DC metropolitan area.

Watch the recording below!

Listen on the go with our podcast recording!