Friday, 05-05-2006

U.S. - Korea Relations Luncheon

The World Affairs Council was pleased to feature an afternoon luncheon at the Rainier Club in downtown Seattle with Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Lee Tae-sik, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Alexander Vershbow, and Dr. Eric Motley, Director of the Office of International Visitors at the U.S. Department of State.

Amb. Lee opened with a few remarks about the military alliance between Korea and the U.S. He thanked the Korean War Veterans in attendance for their efforts and sacrifice, and stressed the growing military self-reliance of the Republic. By 2008, Korea hopes to reduce the U.S. military presence to 225,000 troops.

Amb. Lee then turned his attention to the recent Korean-American Summit. The main goal of the summit was to discuss the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Economic investment has been growing in both directions, and Korea is currently the seventh largest trade partner for the U.S. Obstacles and challenges will arise from the FTA, to be sure, but Amb. Lee believes this important agreement will bring freedom and prosperity to both nations.

Whereas Korea and the U.S. have forged a close political and economic relationship, North Korea continues to prove problematic for both nations. The Korean government advocates a “policy of engagement” and is committed to a peaceful unification and a nuclear-free North Korea. Human rights violations in North Korea and the resulting refugee crisis have placed pressure on the world community to find a solution, but Amb. Lee called for wisdom and patience so that North Korea might return to the Six-Party talks.

Amb. Vershbow followed Amb. Lee; he focused on the need for international partnerships when responding to global crises, such as natural disasters and the War on Terrorism. Korean’s advancing military technology and the Korean-American military alliance have enabled the two nations to pursue flexible strategies in the Middle East.

In addition to the military relationship, Amb. Vershbow also recalled the close economic ties between the two nations. He mentioned Korea’s leading role in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Echoing Amb. Lee’s positive remarks, Amb. Vershbow also supports the FTA. The agreement would allow the U.S. to be more involved in the fastest growing economy in the world, just as it would allow Korea to be more involved in the U.S. economy, the largest in the world.

Korean society is experiencing growing equality and freedom. The information revolution has allowed wider access to news and more avenues to express diversity of thought and dissenting opinions. At the same time, anti-American sentiment seems to be mounting. Amb. Vershbow expelled fears that Koreans have become anti-American by explaining that there are nearly 86,000 Korean students in the U.S. studying at American colleges and universities. He also expressed his sincere support for the visa waiver program currently under consideration by the two nations.

A question and answer session followed the Ambassadors’ remarks, moderated by Dr. Eric Motley and bolstered by questions from the audience of over 110 business and community leaders.

About the Speakers

Ambassador Alexander Vershbow has served as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Korea since October 2005. A Foreign Service member, Ambassador Vershbow has extensive experience in East-West relations, non-proliferation and European security affairs. He has served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, and in the past has represented the U.S. as Ambassador to Russia and to NATO.

Ambassador Lee Tae-sik has served as Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States since November 2005. Ambassador Lee has served as an international diplomat for more than four decades, across the span of four continents. He has represented the Republic of Korea in Liberia, the Philippines, Austria, Yugoslavia, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. Additionally, Ambassador Lee He has also held several senior-level governmental positions, including director-general of the International Trade Bureau at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, deputy executive director of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization and deputy foreign minister.

Sponsors: Boeing, Korea Economic Institute, Microsoft, UW Global Business Center

Co-Presenters:
America-Korea Trade Club
Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
Korean-American Art & Cultural Association of the Pacific Northwest (KACAPN)
Korean American Professionals Society (KAPS)
Korean Women’s Association of Washington State
National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP Seattle)
National Center for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation