The University of Washington’s Center for Korea Studies (CKS), in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, hosted the 12th annual Korean Peninsula Forum on Oct. 22, under the theme “Republic of Korea–U.S. Relations at the Crossroads: Changes and Continuity under the Trump Administration.”
Established in 2014, the forum provides a platform for leading experts, policymakers, and academics to exchange ideas on major issues affecting the Korean Peninsula and U.S.–Korea relations. Over the past decade, discussions have ranged from North Korea’s nuclear program to the policy impacts of domestic political transitions in both countries.
Professor and Center for Korea Studies Director Yong-Chool Ha at the Oct. 22 Korean Peninsula Forum.
This year’s forum, moderated by Professor and CKS Director Yong-chool Ha, focused on two central themes: economic security and the U.S.–Korea military alliance, emphasizing how evolving regional and global dynamics are reshaping the partnership.
Panel 1: Security Relations
The day’s first panel examined how evolving geopolitics are redefining the U.S.–Korea security alliance.
Philo Kim of Seoul National University’s Institute for Peace and Unification Studies opened with “Can the Trump–Lee Alliance Restart Talks with North Korea?”, assessing whether shifting political conditions could reopen diplomatic channels long frozen between Washington and Pyongyang.
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea Director Greg Scalatoiu at the Oct. 22 Korean Peninsula Forum.
He was followed by Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, whose talk, “The Republic of Korea in the Age of Emergent Offensive Realism,” explored how changing power dynamics are influencing South Korea’s defense strategy and regional posture.
Bum Soo Kim of Seoul National University and Jackson School Professor David Bachman served as discussants, offering comparative insights into how both nations might recalibrate policy amid evolving leadership and security challenges.
Panel 2: U.S.–Korea Economic Relations
The second panel then turned to the economic dimension of the U.S.–Korea alliance.
Wanghwi Lee of Ajou University presented “The Rise and Decline of ‘Security with the U.S., Economy with China’ in Korea,” highlighting the delicate balancing act Seoul faces between its top security ally and its largest trading partner.
Next, Troy Stangarone — former director of the Wilson Center’s Korea Center — discussed “U.S.–Korea Economic Relations After Free Trade,” examining how global supply chain shifts, tariffs, and technological competition are reshaping bilateral economic cooperation.
Jackson School Associate Professor Daniel Bessner and Department of Political Science Assistant Professor James Dongjin Kim served as discussants, offering historical and political perspectives, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic resilience and strategic alignment.
Political Science Assistant Professor James Dongjin Kim at the Oct. 22 Korean Peninsula Forum.
Discussants Daniel Bessner, an associate professor at the Jackson School, and James Kim, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, offered historical and political perspectives linking economic resilience to broader strategic alignment.
Building bridges through scholarship
Ha praised the forum’s role in fostering dialogue between academia and the policy community.
“The forum is a shining example of the collaboration between the Consulate General and the University of Washington,” he said. “It serves the campus and the larger Korean community, which has been the most important source of support for the Center for Korea Studies.”
Eun-ji Seo, the consul general at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, at the Oct. 22 Korean Peninsula Forum.
This year also marked the last Korea Studies Forum for Consul General Eun-ji Seo, who has served in the role for the past four years. Ha joked that instead of deputy consul, Park would join next year’s forum as South Korea’s ambassador to the United States.