President Abraham Kim Interviewed with EDAILY

The Korea Society President & CEO Abraham Kim recently sat down with the Korean news outlet EDAILY in New York for an interview on the future of U.S.-Korea economic relations. He emphasized the role of private, nongovernmental diplomacy in strengthening ties between the two countries at a time of growing economic interdependence.

In the interview, Abraham Kim, Ph.D., highlighted the role of private diplomacy in complementing government-to-government ties, noting that neutral platforms such as The Korea Society can foster candid dialogue, build trust, and address areas that formal diplomacy cannot. .Korea’s commitment to approximately $350 billion (468 trillion won) in U.S. investment, he noted, reflects increasingly interconnected interests, from U.S. jobs and industrial capacity to Korean companies’ growth and innovation. He cautioned, however, that domestic politics can complicate international issues, including investment negotiations.

President Kim emphasized predictability, reciprocity, and mutual respect as guiding principles for resolving differences and sustaining a strong alliance. He stressed that agreements should endure regardless of changes in administration or political landscape, and that they should deliver tangible benefits to both sides. He also noted that Korea’s investments in semiconductors, energy, and shipbuilding now reach deep into America’s future economic competitiveness, which calls for mutual respect for each country’s institutions and decision-making constraints.

While acknowledging that the alliance is undergoing a period of change, he affirmed that it remains robust. Such moments, he noted, are when the true strength of a partnership is tested and when continued dialogue can build new bridges and deepen collaboration between the two nations.

Read the full article in Korean here.