Bipartisan South Korean Delegation Heads to U.S. to Meet Key Figures in Trump’s Second Administration

Bipartisan South Korean Delegation Heads to U.S. to Meet Key Figures in Trump’s Second Administration

On November 16, a bipartisan delegation of South Korean lawmakers will travel to the United States to meet with close associates of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Joining them are senior diplomatic and security officials from the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including former Foreign Minister Park Jin and former National Security Advisor Kim Sung-han. This unusual show of unity from both sides of the South Korean political spectrum aims to expand communication channels with the figures likely to shape Trump’s second-term administration.

According to sources within the South Korean government, the delegation will attend the 9th U.S.-Korea Strategic Forum, organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., on November 18-19. The delegation is expected to outline South Korea's stance on the U.S.-Korea alliance and economic cooperation. Delegates include Kim Seok-ki, Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, as well as members from both major political parties, including Kim Gun and Kim Young-bae from the ruling and opposition parties respectively. Other attendees from the People Power Party include lawmakers Kim Hee-jung and Kang Sun-young, joined by Democratic Party representatives Wi Sung-rak, Lee Jae-gang, and Cho Jung-sik.

The delegation also hopes to hold meetings with key Trump allies. They have targeted think tanks such as the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), the Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute, which are likely to be recruitment grounds for senior officials in the next administration’s State and Defense Departments. Additionally, meetings with Michael McCaul, Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Andy Kim, the first Korean-American U.S. Senator, are being pursued.

One delegation member noted, “While the schedule isn’t finalized yet, we are making every effort to meet with major Republican figures, especially those who are close to President-elect Trump or are likely to join his administration.”

Former Foreign Minister Park Jin is departing ahead of the delegation to deliver a lecture at George Washington University on November 15, discussing the future of U.S.-Korea relations post-election. Park, known for his strong connections with Trump allies, is expected to meet with Senator Bill Hagerty, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, with whom he has close ties. Park remarked, “I’m looking forward to having productive discussions to further develop the U.S.-Korea relationship.” The delegation is scheduled to return to South Korea on November 21.

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