Category: General

4/2021

The Korea Society and The Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) are proud to release a new publication Partners in Democracy: Perspectives on the U.S.-Korea Alliance.

This series of essays sheds light on the dynamic partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea, featuring insights from: Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States Lee Soo-Hyuck; U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii); Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); Representative Ami Bera (D-Calif.); Korea Foundation President Geun Lee; former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Kathleen Stephens; General Walter “Skip” Sharp, former Commander, United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command / United States Forces Korea; and Professor Victor Cha, CSIS Korea Chair.

On the significance of the publication, Korea Society president and CEO Tom Byrne said: “By showcasing influential voices from the United States and Korea, this timely series of essays demonstrates the many mutually beneficial aspects of the U.S.-ROK relationship, and outlines the key challenges and opportunities for our partnership going forward. We are confident that it will serve as a helpful tool for policymakers and stakeholders. The Korea Society is proud of its collaboration with FMC on the Congressional Study Group on Korea and looks forward to participating in an even more ambitious agenda in the future.”

Click here to read.

To download the article as PDF, click here

1/29/21 |  
Pacific Forum |

PacNet #5 – North Korea Doubles Down on a Dead End
 
In an article for Pacific Forum PacNet on North Korea’s economic plan announced at the recent party congress, president Tom Byrne and policy director Jonathan Corrado write that, “The plan leaves unanswered the question of the sources of financing. North Korea has scant domestic savings, no access to international credit and has squeezed the foreign currency savings of the donju entrepreneurs and financiers.”

For full article, click here

For PDF, click here

3/11/20 |  
Pacific Forum |

PacNet #11 – Two tasks for making US-ROK troop burden sharing sustainable
 
In a new article about the U.S.- Korea military cost sharing deal for Pacific Forum PacNet, Korea Society chairperson Ambassador Kathleen Stephens and president Tom Byrne write, “The time is now for the United States and South Korea to come to terms on a deal that works for both sides. The smooth functioning of the alliance should not be impaired by an accounting impasse that loses sight of the incalculable benefits from 70 years of partnership.”

For full article, click here

For PDF, click here

7/2/19
National Committee on American Foreign Policy

A new report written by Korea Society associate policy director Jonathan Corrado for the National Committee on American Foreign Policy highlights a conference discussion on prospects for trilateral and broader multilateral cooperation in addressing Northeast Asian security challenges. The trilateral conference, co-hosted by The Korea Society, provides a useful opportunity to evaluate the year’s most significant geopolitical developments. Stark differences in the tone and content of this year’s dialogue underscore the region’s dynamism and strategic significance. Denuclearizing North Korea remains the major driver of concern. Conference participants explored the ramifications and likelihood of alternate futures, ranging from breakthrough to muddle through to breakdown. Participants also discussed the possibility of North Korean change from within, the opportunity for China to play a greater role in denuclearization talks, methods for preventing an arms race in Northeast Asia, and the future structure of the U.S.-ROK alliance.

To read the full article, click here

To download the article as PDF, click here

4/9/19  
Pacific Forum |

PacNet #24: Kim Jong Un’s choice – Economic reform would be a risk well taken by North Korea
 
Economic reform would be a risk well taken by North Korea, according to Korea Society president Thomas Byrne and associate director Jonathan Corrado. In a new article for Pacific Forum PacNet, the authors content that, “Pyongyang’s leadership seems to be more attuned than ever about benefits from economic development, but so far bold action and systemic reform are missing. The cases of China and Vietnam show a path to prosperity if North Korea embraces a pluralistic communist system in which new interest groups coalesce to support reform. Such a transition would likely allow the international community—including the U.S., South Korea, Japan and the international financial institutions, including the IMF, the World Bank, ADB and even the AIIB—to help Pyongyang proceed down that road. Economic benefits from this process could change Pyongyang’s suspicious attitude towards the U.S. and the outside world.”

For full article, click here

For PDF, click here

2/25/19  
Pacific Forum |

PacNet #17 – Preserving the US-ROK alliance is critical
 
In a new article for PacNet about the upcoming Trump-Kim summit in Vietnam, Korea Society president Thomas Byrne & board director General Walter Sharp emphasize the importance of the US-South Korea Alliance in the negotiation process. “In any scenario post-Hanoi,” they write, “the steady hand of the alliance will be key. With luck, it will be the cornerstone of a new era of non-hostile engagement & cooperation w/ North Korea.”

For full article, click here

For PDF, click here