Gyeongbuk Province Invites Chemical Engineering Special Lecture
Thorough Preparation Needed for North Korea Policy
Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, invited Kim Hyun-wook, Director of the Sejong Institute and an expert in diplomacy and security, to give a special lecture on the theme of "Trump's Second-Term Foreign Policy and the Korean Peninsula" on the 18th.
The special lecture was held at the urgent suggestion of Governor Lee Cheol-woo, who emphasized the need for strategic preparation across South Korea's economy and major industries by proactively understanding the international situation, as the launch of Trump's second term is just about a month away and Gyeongbuk Province is preparing to host the 2025 APEC in Gyeongju.
Kim Hyun-wook, Director of the Sejong Institute (left), is shaking hands with Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, and taking a commemorative photo after finishing a special lecture on chemical engineering invited by Gyeongbuk Province.
Kim Hyun-wook, Director of the Sejong Institute, stated, "Trump's second term is expected to demonstrate unprecedented strong leadership, with control of the majority in Congress and conservative-leaning federal Supreme Court justices," explaining Trump's second-term trade policy, China policy, and North Korea policy, and stressing the need for thorough preparation.
Regarding trade policy, he pointed out the crisis arising from the universal imposition of tariffs by the U.S. and the reduction of subsidies and tax credit benefits, while noting remaining opportunities such as ship MRO. He proposed a multi-dimensional strategy to strengthen relations at the federal government level through cooperation with state governments and local politicians for companies investing in the U.S. He also called for preparations for renewable energy companies expected to face difficulties, alongside strengthening the competitiveness of Korean nuclear power companies amid the expansion of fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Furthermore, Director Kim emphasized that the start of the Trump second-term administration will be a turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel war, and that strategic responses to North Korea are needed at this time amid changes in U.S.-China relations and the strengthening of the South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation system.
Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, "South Korea is currently facing concerns of export stagnation due to the three highs (high exchange rate, high prices, high interest rates), and difficulties are expected in the semiconductor, battery, and automobile industries due to the reduction of subsidies and tax credits in the U.S.," adding, "We must mobilize national power across diplomacy, security, trade, and industry to prepare for the upcoming challenges in Trump's second term and create opportunities in nuclear power, energy, shipbuilding, and cultural tourism."
The governor also stated, "We should use the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju as an opportunity to make significant progress on the North Korean issue and establish a foundation for peace on the Korean Peninsula," urging, "The political sphere must stop political strife, address urgent economic and security issues, and prepare for the future."
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