Foreign envoys, businesspeople voice confidence in Korea-US partnership proposals

Participants attend the the Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Ambassadors and business leaders highlighted the need to fortify Korea-U.S. economic relations and pursue new partnerships during a forum titled “Strategic Proposals for Korea-U.S. Partnership,” jointly hosted Tuesday by The Korea Times and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Vu Ho highlighted how deeply interconnected modern diplomacy has become.

“Korea has a new government. We’ll be discussing the upcoming developments in Korea-U.S. relations, noting that politics, security, economy and people-to-people exchanges — it’s all interconnected,” Vu told The Korea Times.

Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho, left, Dominican Republic Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, center, and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim engage in conversation at the Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Dominican Republic Ambassador to Korea Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo also underscored the importance of Korea-U.S. cooperation in an evolving global landscape.

“Especially now, with Korea under a new administration, the relationship with the U.S. will always be important, no matter what uncertain times we may be living through,” Cuello said. “I look forward to hearing what the experts have to say about new directions in the bilateral relationship, and how we can ensure that today’s challenges do not diminish its value or significance.”

Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi said the forum came at a timely moment, noting that Korea has once again affirmed its democratic credentials and is navigating a new geopolitical landscape.

“It comes at a pivotal moment — not just for Korea, but for the world,” Darragi said. “I’m confident that Korea will find the right solutions and chart a path forward to address all the challenges ahead.”

From left, German Ambassador Georg Schmidt, Tunisian Ambassador Kais Darragi, Luxembourg Ambassador Jacques Flies and French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux talk at the Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Business leaders called the forum a vital chance to navigate uncertainties and uncover the opportunities they present.

Fred Bozorov, CEO of medical aesthetics company BNC Global, told The Korea Times that forums like this are vital for international companies operating in Korea.

“It’s a huge boost for us — it creates new opportunities and opens doors to connect with the local business community,” Bozorov said. “As foreigners, we have a little bit of lack of communication in Korea, so having this kind of forum is really important.”

Bozorov added that he firmly believes strong partnership between Korea and the United States benefits his industry.

“Since we work in the beauty industry — and really, for any industry — the U.S. is a huge market. If you find even a small niche, it can be a great kick-start for business growth. That’s why we’re here — to look for any opportunity, no matter how small, to expand our presence in the U.S. market.”

Jeffrey D. Jones, a Kim & Chang attorney licensed in California and Illinois, told The Korea Times in fluent Korean that the close partnership between Korea and the U.S. holds promise for meaningful progress.

“A new administration in Korea and the Trump administration have a range of issues to discuss, including tariffs, AI (artificial intelligence), North Korea and China. I believe this forum will be a valuable opportunity to discuss policy and chart the right course for both countries,” Jones said. “By debating these issues together, we can help guide both governments in the right direction and support the success of businesses on both sides.”

Chung Ji-eun, CEO of the government affairs and regulatory monitoring platform CODIT, emphasized the value of the forum for businesses that need to stay on top of U.S.-related developments.

“I was particularly impressed by how the speakers analyzed the Trump administration’s policies and offered insights into how Korea should position itself and negotiate going forward,” Chung said.

Chung added that she was especially interested in the discussions on AI in the second session, saying she hopes to see what kinds of collaboration might emerge in that field.