Session: Session 1
Date/Time: April 24, 2018 / 13:00-14:30

Moderator:
Choi Kang, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies

Speakers:
Bruce W. Bennett, RAND Corporation
Victor Cha, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Kim Sung-han, Korea University
Daniel R. Russel, Asia Society Policy Institute
Soeya Yoshihide, Keio University

Panel Description
Today, the ROK-U.S. alliance faces an acute set of challenges. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has pledged to increase burden sharing, renegotiate the KORUS FTA, and impose tariffs on Korean-made goods. This transactional view of the alliance has major implications for the future of ROK-U.S. relations. Meanwhile, President Moon is mediating between Trump and Kim Jong Un, in hopes of achieving a breakthrough on North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the resolution of which will require close cooperation between Seoul and Washington. How can South Korea and the US work to better address the North Korean nuclear issue? Can the ROK-U.S. alliance find a mutually beneficial balance of interests? Will the KORUS FTA survive in an era of reemerging protectionism?