Martial Arts, Vice Chairman Derek Morgan Invited... Schedule Being Coordinated
Visit to Korea as Early as Late Next Month or Early September at the Latest
Heritage, Think Tank Influencing Republican Party Policies
Opportunity to Gauge Economic Policies if Trump Wins
Derek Morgan, Vice Chairman of the Heritage Foundation, a Republican 'think tank' led by former President Donald Trump aiming to regain the presidency, is expected to visit South Korea as early as next month.
Derek Morgan, Vice Chairman of the Heritage Foundation. Photo by Heritage Foundation Official Website
According to business circles on the 23rd, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) recently requested Morgan's visit to Korea and is coordinating the schedule with the Heritage Foundation. KITA plans to invite Vice Chairman Morgan to hold two events either at the end of next month or early September, focusing on trade with the United States and involving Korean companies. However, a KITA official explained that the visiting personnel may change depending on the Foundation's internal circumstances. Even if Morgan cannot come, the Heritage Foundation is expected to send other officials such as senior or principal researchers to Korea, so it is unlikely that KITA's invitation events will be canceled.
This visit by the Heritage Foundation official is drawing significant attention from the business community as it is expected to take place about two months before the U.S. presidential election. For Korean companies, it will be an opportunity to anticipate various economic policies that might be implemented if former President Trump is elected. Especially since the recent 'assassination attempt' incident, Trump has secured substantial support within the U.S., and with President Joe Biden stepping down as the Democratic presidential candidate, various variables have emerged, making the election highly unpredictable. This visit is therefore even more noteworthy. Founded in 1973, the Heritage Foundation is a think tank that has exerted considerable influence on U.S. government policy decisions to this day. Its headquarters are located in Washington D.C., the U.S. capital. It advocates conservative principles such as individual and corporate freedom, small government, and strengthening national defense. Vice Chairman Morgan is a prominent figure who has appeared at various Heritage Foundation events. He has served as an advisor to the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee (2009?2010) and as Senior Vice President of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) (2017?2022).
Alongside the Heritage Foundation invitation events, KITA plans to intensify its efforts to study and monitor trends in Korean exports in relation to the U.S. presidential election. Chairman Yoon Jin-sik is reviewing plans to visit the U.S. between September and October to gauge the local atmosphere. Earlier, from May 13 to 17, Chairman Yoon visited Washington D.C. and met with Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce. On the 8th, he held a meeting with Grace Abbott, Governor of Texas, who visited Korea, stating, "We request Governor Abbott's active interest and support to further strengthen mutual cooperation in industry, trade, and investment." Additionally, KITA plans to analyze changes in the export sector and economic policies following the Democratic Party's presidential candidate replacement in its monthly report 'U.S. Election Watch,' to be released next month.
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