As the Republic of Korea and the United States embarked on a new chapter of an alliance that has been one of the most enduring partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, Jean was honored to moderate a discussion withh two seasoned diplomats — US Amb. Joseph Yun and ROK Amb. Cho Yoon-je — for an in-depth discussion in December 2025 about the evolving ROK-US alliance and the global impact of these developments.
HONOLULU — Jean Lee welcomes Cho Yoon-je, former ROK ambassador to the United States, to the East-West Center in December 2025.
The US-ROK alliance is one that was forged on the Korean War battlefield and has transformed into a forward-looking partnership aimed at ensuring regional security in the face of rapid technological change, heightened geopolitical competition and global economic uncertainty.
HONOLULU — Jean Lee moderates a roundtable discussion with Amb. Yun and Amb. Cho at the East-West Center’s Imin Conference Center in December 2025.
From a $350 billion investment package to collaboration on shipbuilding and nuclear attack submarines, the Republic of Korea and the United States are setting pace with sweeping trade, investment and military agreements bound to have regional implications.
The event at the East-West Center was co-hosted by the Republic of Korea Consulate General in Hawai’i, with EWC President Celeste Connors and acting ROK Consul General Joon Kim providing welcome remarks.
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Leading U.S. experts and former officials to identify actionable policy steps the White House and Congress should take to address the growing threat from North Korea.