US-Korea Relations and the Future of South Korea's Diplomacy (free event)

U.S. - Korea Relations and the Future of South Korean Diplomatic Strategy
The United States and the Republic of Korea share one of the most consequential partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. What began as an alliance forged in shared security commitments has matured into a broad strategic relationship spanning technology, trade, advanced manufacturing, energy, and cultural exchange. South Korea's emergence as a global leader in critical industries, democratic governance, and cultural influence has deepened this partnership's significance for both nations.

As strategic competition between the United States and China intensifies, South Korea navigates a distinct set of pressures: maintaining substantial economic ties with China while deepening its security and technology cooperation with the United States. The growing trilateral relationship among the United States, South Korea, and Japan adds another consequential dimension, offering new possibilities for regional stability while requiring careful diplomatic management. This panel brings together distinguished experts to assess the current state of the U.S.–South Korea relationship and its trajectory.

Discussion will address how regional dynamics, including the roles of China, Japan, and North Korea, are shaping the alliance, and where the two countries see the greatest opportunities and challenges ahead in trade, technology, security, and cultural exchange.

Registration link: https://www.irckc.org/what-we-do/irc-events-calendar/#id=10841&cid=1742&wid=2201&type=Cal

About the Panelists:
Jim Pershing works on the Department of State;s Korea-Mongolia Desk, where he covers political-military affairs. Previously, he worked in the Department's Operations Center, spent time as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, and served at the U.S. Embassies in Islamabad and Beijing. Prior to his diplomatic career, Jim worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Georgia, where he taught English and founded an NGO focused on youth development. Jim is from Boston, MA and has degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and the University of Notre Dame.

Lieutenant Colonel Minyoung Ahn serves as the Assistant Defense Attaché and Assistant Military Attaché for the Republic of Korea Army. Throughout his military career, he has held a range of leadership and counterintelligence positions, including assignments with the Republic of Korea Defense Counterintelligence Command, the Defense Security Command, and as Battery Commander of the 662nd Field Artillery Battalion. He earned a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany, State University of New York, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Korea Military Academy. Lt. Col. Ahn has also completed the U.S. Army Field Artillery Captain's Career Course at Fort Sill and served as a Visiting Fellow at the Mansfield Foundation in Washington, D.C. His professional experience spans military leadership, counterintelligence, international security cooperation, and U.S.-Republic of Korea defense relations.

Arius Derr is Director of Communications at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) in Washington, DC. Previously he was Managing Editor at Korea Risk Group, where he oversaw the consultancy’s primary publications NK News and NK Pro, as well as Korea Desk Editor at the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research. Arius has also worked as a researcher at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), as Editor at KBS, South Korea’s public broadcaster, Research Associate in the Strategy Division of United States Forces Korea, and as Consultant for the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His PhD research at the ANU focuses on U.S. nuclear policy. He also holds a MA in International Security from Korea University and a BS in Political Science & International Relations from Boise State University.

Presented in partnership with the Korean Economic Institute as part of the the World Affairs Councils of America Engage America Series

The Korea Economic Institute of America is dedicated to promoting understanding of Korea and strengthening ties between the United States and Korea.