On 11 November 2020, GR Korea and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) co-hosted a seminar on the US Presidential Election.  

After opening remarks from Dirk Lukat, chairperson of the ECCK, James Fatheree, Executive Director of GR Korea, examined Biden’s domestic and international policy priorities.  A distinguished panel, moderated by GR Korea Senior Adviser Dr. Jiyoon Kim, then discussed Biden’s prospective foreign policy and trade policy, as well as how these may impact Korea and the wider world.  The distinguished panellists included National Assembly members Youn Kun Young, a member of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee who has worked in prominent roles in the Blue House and is an influential figure in efforts to enhance Korea’s strategic position through diplomacy, and Kim Byung Wook, an authority on the Korean steel industry and the impact of changes in US trade policy, who is co-chair of the National Assembly Steel Forum.  We were also honoured to host Dr. Yoon Yeo Joon, head of the America research team at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.  The panel provided a comprehensive perspective on the diplomatic and economic ramifications of a Biden presidency.  In particular, discussing how Biden’s desire to ease tensions with China could encourage him to lean on his allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan, potentially including pressure to normalise Korea-Japan relations.  The panellists noted that although it is likely a Biden-Harris administration would look to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), it could require a change in terms with regards to labour and environment, while South Korea would still remain hesitant to join.

We thank everyone for their support, and in particular, are grateful to our panellists for their insights – honourable National Assembly members Youn Kun Young and Kim Byung Wook, Dr. Yoon Yeo Joon, and our moderator Dr. Jiyoon Kim.