Son Kyung-sik Meets US Think Tank to "Strengthen Korea-US Economic Cooperation"

Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of the Korea Employers Federation and Chairman Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation met on the 13th (local time) at the foundation's office in Washington D.C., USA, to discuss cooperation plans.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), met with Kevin Roberts, Chairman of the Heritage Foundation, in Washington, D.C. on the 13th (local time) to discuss bilateral issues and economic cooperation measures, KEF reported. Established in 1973, the Heritage Foundation is a leading U.S. nonprofit think tank that serves as a policy advisory partner to the U.S. government.

Chairman Sohn stated, "Although uncertainties in the business environment are increasing due to international sanctions against Russia following the recent Ukraine crisis and rising energy prices, if the two countries cooperate to stabilize international supply chains based on the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and expand mutual investment and human exchanges, economic cooperation will be further strengthened in new areas such as digital transformation and climate change response."

He also emphasized the importance of the role of private-sector policy research institutions. Chairman Sohn said, "For the establishment of mid- to long-term national development strategies encompassing various fields such as politics, economy, diplomacy, and society, the role of private-led policy research institutions like the Heritage Foundation is very important," adding, "In Korea as well, there is a need to establish think tanks capable of proposing national development policies based on professional research and investigative activities."

He continued, "The KEF, representing the Korean business community, is continuously communicating closely with the government and the National Assembly to propose business-friendly policies and regulatory reforms," and said, "We hope the Heritage Foundation will continue to contribute to enhancing Korea-U.S. friendship and expanding economic cooperation, and we will actively cooperate."

Chairman Sohn visited Washington, D.C., New York, and other locations in the U.S. from the 8th to the 17th, meeting with key research institutions and economic organization officials. While strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, he also discussed support measures for Korean companies. He said, "In Korea, a new government is set to launch in May, and our business community hopes for the establishment of a business-friendly environment and labor-management relations reform," adding, "The Heritage Foundation’s pursuit of free business activities and regulatory reforms has many similarities with the policy direction of Korea’s new government."