Part of: Korea-United States Journalists Exchange
The Yoon Government: New Foreign Relations Approaches at a Time of Regional Tensions
The 14th East-West Center Korea-US Journalists Exchange (KUSJE) took six Korean journalists to Washington, DC and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; and six US journalists to Seoul, Jeju Island, and the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Journalists from both countries explored the Korea-US alliance and the foreign relations approach of the Republic of Korea's new government under President Yoon.
President Yoon leads the Republic of Korea’s new government into an era of opportunities and quandaries. Washington is pleased that Yoon is more closely aligned with US goals than was his predecessor President Moon. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida also cautiously welcomes Yoon. Pyongyang, however, has already rebuffed Yoon’s initial overtures. The Kim regime is enlarging and diversifying its nuclear weapons arsenal and wants to discuss an arms control agreement but not denuclearization. Moreover, as US-China competition grows more intense, Washington expects the Republic of Korea to support the American regional security agenda, while Beijing pressures Seoul to distance itself from the USA. Yoon hopes to move past the history issue and improve bilateral strategic cooperation with Japan, but this will only be possible if he can broker a solution acceptable to both Tokyo and the Korean people. Success is far from guaranteed. Korea will need extraordinary statesmanship to safeguard national security and prosperity within this challenging environment.
2022 KUSJE Fellows
Republic of Korea
- Hyojung CHO, Deputy Editor, Local News, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)
- Jongin JIN, Reporter, Gangwondominilbo
- Naeun KIM, Reporter, International Economy Department, etoday
- Youngjoo KIM, Reporter, Department of Politics, Munhwa Daily
- Seheum LIM, Deputy Editor, International News, Korea Broadcasting System (KBS)
- Hyouksang NAM, General Manager, National Desk, The Kukmin Daily
United States
- Katelyn FERRAL, Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin
- William HENNIGAN, National Security Correspondent, TIME Magazine, Washington, DC
- Kathleen KINGSBURY, Deputy Editorial Page Editor, New York Times, New York, New York
- Kevin KNODELL, Military Affairs, Security and Diplomacy Reporter, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Honolulu, HI
- Emily LUNZ, Senior Writer, CNN International, Atlanta, Georgia
- Brittany TOM, Field Producer, Dateline NBC/NBC News, New York, New York
Part of: Korea-United States Journalists Exchange
The Yoon Government: New Foreign Relations Approaches at a Time of Regional Tensions
The 14th East-West Center Korea-US Journalists Exchange (KUSJE) took six Korean journalists to Washington, DC and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; and six US journalists to Seoul, Jeju Island, and the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Journalists from both countries explored the Korea-US alliance and the foreign relations approach of the Republic of Korea's new government under President Yoon.
President Yoon leads the Republic of Korea’s new government into an era of opportunities and quandaries. Washington is pleased that Yoon is more closely aligned with US goals than was his predecessor President Moon. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida also cautiously welcomes Yoon. Pyongyang, however, has already rebuffed Yoon’s initial overtures. The Kim regime is enlarging and diversifying its nuclear weapons arsenal and wants to discuss an arms control agreement but not denuclearization. Moreover, as US-China competition grows more intense, Washington expects the Republic of Korea to support the American regional security agenda, while Beijing pressures Seoul to distance itself from the USA. Yoon hopes to move past the history issue and improve bilateral strategic cooperation with Japan, but this will only be possible if he can broker a solution acceptable to both Tokyo and the Korean people. Success is far from guaranteed. Korea will need extraordinary statesmanship to safeguard national security and prosperity within this challenging environment.
2022 KUSJE Fellows
Republic of Korea
- Hyojung CHO, Deputy Editor, Local News, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)
- Jongin JIN, Reporter, Gangwondominilbo
- Naeun KIM, Reporter, International Economy Department, etoday
- Youngjoo KIM, Reporter, Department of Politics, Munhwa Daily
- Seheum LIM, Deputy Editor, International News, Korea Broadcasting System (KBS)
- Hyouksang NAM, General Manager, National Desk, The Kukmin Daily
United States
- Katelyn FERRAL, Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin
- William HENNIGAN, National Security Correspondent, TIME Magazine, Washington, DC
- Kathleen KINGSBURY, Deputy Editorial Page Editor, New York Times, New York, New York
- Kevin KNODELL, Military Affairs, Security and Diplomacy Reporter, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Honolulu, HI
- Emily LUNZ, Senior Writer, CNN International, Atlanta, Georgia
- Brittany TOM, Field Producer, Dateline NBC/NBC News, New York, New York