In this Kang Kyung-Wha interview, the former South Korean foreign minister and president of the Asia Society shares insights on U.S.-Korea and North Korea-U.S. relations, shifting global dynamics, and South Korea’s political and economic challenges.
Kang Kyung-Wha on South Korea’s Economic Standing
According to Kang Kyung-Wha, concerns are growing within U.S. political and financial circles over South Korea’s declining credibility. She emphasized that South Korea needs a long-term strategy to strengthen its political and economic standing in the global arena. Additionally, she plans to integrate more Korean elements into Asia Society’s initiatives.
Kang Kyung-Wha’s Vision for Asia Society
Since taking office on April 1 last year, Kang Kyung-Wha has been developing a five-year strategic plan, expected to be finalized this fall. She noted that the organization had previously been criticized for overemphasizing China, effectively becoming a “China Society.” Moving forward, she aims to diversify policy research across Asia and enhance cultural and artistic exchanges, with a particular focus on promoting Korean culture.
Expanding Korean Cultural Influence
Kang Kyung-Wha expressed her strong desire to host a Bong Joon-ho Film Festival, citing Korean cinema’s global recognition. She plans to invite new film curators to introduce Korean filmmakers and directors to audiences in New York, highlighting an underexplored aspect of Asia Society’s programming.
Navigating U.S.-Korea Trade Relations
With ongoing U.S. tariff disputes, Kang Kyung-Wha acknowledged that alliances, including the U.S.-Korea partnership, could become negotiation tools for national interests. She noted that, similar to the Trump administration’s first term, tariffs were an expected measure to protect domestic interests. However, as seen in Ukraine, alliances are increasingly being used as leverage in negotiations.
Currently, South Korea has not engaged in full-scale negotiations due to political instability and the lack of a clear negotiating counterpart. Kang Kyung-Wha advised that South Korea must strategically organize its strengths and use them effectively as leverage. She pointed out that industries such as shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are key areas where South Korea excels and where the U.S. has strategic needs.
South Korea’s Political Uncertainty
Despite the swift resolution of martial law and impeachment, Kang Kyung-Wha pointed out that ongoing instability continues to affect investor confidence. She emphasized that economic credibility has declined, and investor interest in South Korea has decreased. The stark division in public opinion highlights the need for swift political stabilization.
North Korea-U.S. Relations and South Korea’s Role
Reflecting on negotiations under the Trump administration, Kang Kyung-Wha noted that North Korea has largely shut down diplomatic engagement since the failed Hanoi summit. She warned that future negotiations may exclude South Korea, making it critical for Seoul to ensure that U.S.-North Korea agreements do not undermine its interests. She also cautioned against assuming that increased North Korea-U.S. exchanges will automatically benefit inter-Korean relations, calling such optimism premature.
Strengthening Korean Representation in Asia Society
Currently, there is no dedicated team within Asia Society focused on analyzing South Korean foreign policy. However, Kang Kyung-Wha has secured initial funding to establish a permanent organization for Korean research and outreach. She also plans to collaborate with the South Korean government and civic organizations to host related events.
Kang Kyung-Wha’s Message to the Korean American Community
Kang Kyung-Wha encouraged continued support for Korean American organizations to foster growth and development. She emphasized the importance of open collaboration and sustained efforts to address ongoing challenges, aiming to build stronger ties and create more effective communication channels between Korean Americans and broader society.
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BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
