WASHINGTON, DC (April 20, 2023) – The East-West Center (EWC) has officially launched a new, enhanced edition of the publication Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea on US-ROK connections and cooperation across both countries. The Korea Matters for America / America Matters for Korea publication and website feature infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels.

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, East-West Center President, remarked that “the release of our latest update to this important overview of the many-faceted Korea-US relationship couldn’t be timelier, with the summit between Presidents Biden and Yoon taking place this week. Through easily understood visuals, Korea Matters really brings home the many ways these critical connections truly do impact individual communities and people’s lives across both of our nations.”

An in-person event to launch the new publication, with the support of the Korea Economic Institute of America and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, was chaired by Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, and concluded with an in-person reception on Capitol Hill.

Remarks were offered by East-West Center President Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, followed by Mark Tokola, Vice President of the Korea Economic Institute of America, Representative Ami Bera (CA-6), and President of the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, Ambassador In-Kook Park.

“The launch of Korea Matters comes at an important time as we welcome President Yoon Suk Yeol for an official state visit and a joint address to Congress to celebrate 70 years of the U.S.-ROK alliance. The commitment between our two democracies remains the linchpin of peace, security, and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rep. Ami Bera, M.D., Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea. “The Korea Matters publication will report on significant facts and figures that highlight the deep people-to-people bonds, shared values, and enduring friendship between the United States and South Korea.”

The launch also included remarks from prominent US and Japanese leaders, government officials, and experts, including:

• Jihoon Kim, Counselor, Chief of Congressional Section, Embassy of the Republic of Korea
• Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
• Pamela Phan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce
• Bryant Paul Trick, Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for Korea Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative
• The Honorable Brian Schatz (HI), Senate Co-Chair, Congressional Study Group on Korea
• The Honorable Young Kim (CA-40), House Co-Chair, Congressional Study Group on Korea
• Dr. Sue Mi Terry, Director, Asia Program and the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
• Scott A. Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on US-Korea Policy, Council on Foreign Relations
• Youngjun Kim, Professor, Korea National Defense University; Visiting Scholar, George Washington University
• Dr. Hyun Jung Je, President, Korea International Trade Association, Washington DC Office
• Barbara Weisel, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors
• Esperanza Gomez Jelalian, Executive Director, US-Korea Business Council
• Dr. Abraham Kim, Executive Director, Council of Korean Americans
• Dr. Young-Key Kim-Renaud, Senior Advisor, GW Institute for Korean Studies, George Washington University

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, US and South Korean government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and South Korea.

Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, President of the Korea Economic Institute of America and former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, remarked that “the release of the new Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea publication comes at a key moment in the US-South Korea relationship. It provides necessary context for discussions regarding the challenges our countries face together in climate change, economic security, and adapting to advances in high technology, among other pressing issues. The new publication is concise but broad-ranging in explaining the strength and depth of US-Korea ties.”

Produced by the East-West Center with funding support from the Korea Economic Institute of America, the new edition of Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea brings to light important facts and figures, including:

• The United States and South Korea share deep economic, military, and democratic partnerships as well as an enduring commitment to democratic values;
• The US-South Korea alliance contributes to regional security and supports international engagement;
• South Korea is the 3rd largest export partner of the United States in the Indo-Pacific;
• Information and communication technology trade between the United States and South Korea is worth over $12.6 billion;
• Trade and investment with South Korea support almost 450,000 jobs across the United States;
• South Korean investment in the United States increased by over 187% since the implementation of the KORUS FTA in 2012;
• South Korea is a key US partner in creating resilient supply chains;
• The fight against climate change is a pillar of US-South Korean cooperation; 
• Before COVID-19, the United States and South Korea exchanged over three million tourists annually;
• The United States and South Korea share deep cultural connections;
• Nearly two million Korean Americans live in the United States;
• South Korea is the 3rd largest source of foreign students in the United States, and;
• The United States and South Korea share 112 sister city relationships.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, remarked: “Just prior to President Yoon of South Korea’s state visit to the U.S. and summit with President Biden on the 70^th anniversary of the alliance, the East-West Center is pleased to release this flagship publication and website to highlight the deep, range, and importance of U.S.-Korea interactions at the national and state levels.  Few countries in the world share the combined scope and depth of security, commerce, and people-to-people ties at the national and subnational levels than the US and Korea and these connections continue to grow. I express deep thanks to our partners, the Korea Economic Institute and Chey Institute, for their cooperation on this important initiative.”

Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea explores the trade, investment, employment, business, diplomacy, security, education, tourism, and people-to-people interactions and impacts between the United States and South Korea at the national, state, and local levels. Part of the Asia Matters for America initiative, this publication and the AsiaMattersforAmerica.org website are resources for understanding the robust and dynamic US-ROK relationship and U.S. relationships with other Indo-Pacific countries. The publication can also be found on the Asia Matters for America website.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 20, 2023) – The East-West Center (EWC) has officially launched a new, enhanced edition of the publication Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea on US-ROK connections and cooperation across both countries. The Korea Matters for America / America Matters for Korea publication and website feature infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels.

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, East-West Center President, remarked that “the release of our latest update to this important overview of the many-faceted Korea-US relationship couldn’t be timelier, with the summit between Presidents Biden and Yoon taking place this week. Through easily understood visuals, Korea Matters really brings home the many ways these critical connections truly do impact individual communities and people’s lives across both of our nations.”

An in-person event to launch the new publication, with the support of the Korea Economic Institute of America and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, was chaired by Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, and concluded with an in-person reception on Capitol Hill.

Remarks were offered by East-West Center President Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, followed by Mark Tokola, Vice President of the Korea Economic Institute of America, Representative Ami Bera (CA-6), and President of the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, Ambassador In-Kook Park.

“The launch of Korea Matters comes at an important time as we welcome President Yoon Suk Yeol for an official state visit and a joint address to Congress to celebrate 70 years of the U.S.-ROK alliance. The commitment between our two democracies remains the linchpin of peace, security, and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rep. Ami Bera, M.D., Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea. “The Korea Matters publication will report on significant facts and figures that highlight the deep people-to-people bonds, shared values, and enduring friendship between the United States and South Korea.”

The launch also included remarks from prominent US and Japanese leaders, government officials, and experts, including:

• Jihoon Kim, Counselor, Chief of Congressional Section, Embassy of the Republic of Korea
• Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
• Pamela Phan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce
• Bryant Paul Trick, Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for Korea Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative
• The Honorable Brian Schatz (HI), Senate Co-Chair, Congressional Study Group on Korea
• The Honorable Young Kim (CA-40), House Co-Chair, Congressional Study Group on Korea
• Dr. Sue Mi Terry, Director, Asia Program and the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
• Scott A. Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on US-Korea Policy, Council on Foreign Relations
• Youngjun Kim, Professor, Korea National Defense University; Visiting Scholar, George Washington University
• Dr. Hyun Jung Je, President, Korea International Trade Association, Washington DC Office
• Barbara Weisel, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors
• Esperanza Gomez Jelalian, Executive Director, US-Korea Business Council
• Dr. Abraham Kim, Executive Director, Council of Korean Americans
• Dr. Young-Key Kim-Renaud, Senior Advisor, GW Institute for Korean Studies, George Washington University

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, US and South Korean government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and South Korea.

Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, President of the Korea Economic Institute of America and former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, remarked that “the release of the new Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea publication comes at a key moment in the US-South Korea relationship. It provides necessary context for discussions regarding the challenges our countries face together in climate change, economic security, and adapting to advances in high technology, among other pressing issues. The new publication is concise but broad-ranging in explaining the strength and depth of US-Korea ties.”

Produced by the East-West Center with funding support from the Korea Economic Institute of America, the new edition of Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea brings to light important facts and figures, including:

• The United States and South Korea share deep economic, military, and democratic partnerships as well as an enduring commitment to democratic values;
• The US-South Korea alliance contributes to regional security and supports international engagement;
• South Korea is the 3rd largest export partner of the United States in the Indo-Pacific;
• Information and communication technology trade between the United States and South Korea is worth over $12.6 billion;
• Trade and investment with South Korea support almost 450,000 jobs across the United States;
• South Korean investment in the United States increased by over 187% since the implementation of the KORUS FTA in 2012;
• South Korea is a key US partner in creating resilient supply chains;
• The fight against climate change is a pillar of US-South Korean cooperation; 
• Before COVID-19, the United States and South Korea exchanged over three million tourists annually;
• The United States and South Korea share deep cultural connections;
• Nearly two million Korean Americans live in the United States;
• South Korea is the 3rd largest source of foreign students in the United States, and;
• The United States and South Korea share 112 sister city relationships.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, remarked: “Just prior to President Yoon of South Korea’s state visit to the U.S. and summit with President Biden on the 70^th anniversary of the alliance, the East-West Center is pleased to release this flagship publication and website to highlight the deep, range, and importance of U.S.-Korea interactions at the national and state levels.  Few countries in the world share the combined scope and depth of security, commerce, and people-to-people ties at the national and subnational levels than the US and Korea and these connections continue to grow. I express deep thanks to our partners, the Korea Economic Institute and Chey Institute, for their cooperation on this important initiative.”

Korea Matters for America/America Matters for Korea explores the trade, investment, employment, business, diplomacy, security, education, tourism, and people-to-people interactions and impacts between the United States and South Korea at the national, state, and local levels. Part of the Asia Matters for America initiative, this publication and the AsiaMattersforAmerica.org website are resources for understanding the robust and dynamic US-ROK relationship and U.S. relationships with other Indo-Pacific countries. The publication can also be found on the Asia Matters for America website.