KEI's flagship public diplomacy and outreach program strengthening interest in Korea affairs among community leaders, scholars, and students across the United States.
Future of Korea
KEI hosts a series of five programs annually with local councils throughout the country, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of America (WACA), a national network of ninety nonpartisan organizations. The World Affairs Council presents a logical target audience given their members' interest in international issues. Moreover, KEI serves as a catalyst to have organizations focus attention on Korea.
The FOK program features a delegation of three participants: an official from the U.S. Department of State, an official from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and an expert staff member from KEI. There are three components to each program.
Public Program
The delegation participates in a public panel that covers all aspects of the U.S.-Korea relationship and developments on the Korean Peninsula, including political, economic, and security issues, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Academic Engagement
The delegation visits a local high school or university to provide insights on the U.S.-Korea relationship and career advice in the field of international relations.
Business Roundtable
The delegation meets with local business owners and community leaders to discuss the U.S.-Korea economic and trade partnership.
Purpose
- To raise awareness of issues related to U.S.-Korea relations in communities and cities that may not have regular exposure to the policy world.
- To build on the momentum that Korean issues have in the United States through outreach programs that enhance publicity of the alliance's strength.
- To help bridge the relationship between diplomats and officers at the U.S. Department of State and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
March 19–21, 2025
The World Affairs Council of Albuquerque hosted KEI's Economic Policy Analyst Tom Ramage, the U.S. Department of State's Military Advisor for Japanese, Korean, and Mongolian Affairs Ki Suh Jung, and the South Korean Embassy's First Secretary Hae Jung Kim.
April 15–17, 2025
The World Affairs Council of Las Vegas hosted KEI's Program and Internship Manager Jennifer Ahn, the U.S. Department of State's Economic Officer for South Korea Evan Fowler, and the South Korean Embassy's First Secretary Dukhwan Hwang.
May 13–15, 2025
The Vermont Council on World Affairs hosted KEI's Director of Public Opinion and External Relations James Kim, the U.S. Department of State's Economic Officer Lydia Roll, and the South Korean Embassy's Housing and Transportation Attache Hyung Choi.
September 15–17, 2025
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosted KEI's Director of Communications Arius Derr, the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service Officer John Ryan, and the South Korean Embassy's Second Secretary Yeji Lee.
September 30 – October 2, 2025
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosted KEI's Director of Academic Affairs Ellen Kim, former U.S. Department of State's Economic Officer Lydia Roll, and the South Korean Embassy's Economic Section Counselor Hong Seungtae.
KEI selects the local World Affairs Councils by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to host a Future of Korea program. KEI works with local councils to customize programs focused on U.S.-Korea relations to draw the widest community participation. All travel and hotel costs are covered by KEI.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Ahn, Program Manager, at ja@keia.org.