Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is the day our nation’s founders declared independence from Great Britain. The declaration was made on July 4, 1776 and was based upon the idea that a government’s power should come from the governed. It was also predicated on the belief that a government’s main purpose …
Read More»
To observe World Intellectual Property Day and highlight the problem of piracy, the Motion Picture Association of America, through its global offices, works with U.S. embassies to host screenings of popular films likely to be copied and sold illegally. That’s why U.S. Embassy Seoul partnered with the Motion Picture Association of Korea to host a …
Read More»
Last month I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony, held here at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Four foreign nationals pledged their allegiance to the United States by swearing a formal oath, thereby taking the final step towards obtaining U.S. citizenship. It was a …
Read More»
I recently had the opportunity to attend multiple events at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, the biggest winter Paralympic games in history. Watching the competitions was as exhilarating as it was meaningful. The PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games really celebrated the concepts of coexistence and passion. Becoming a Paralympian requires a lot of hard work …
Read More»
Every March, the United States observes Women’s History Month and recognizes the incredible contributions that women have made, and continue to make, to our nation. Since the founding of the United States, women have played an essential role in our society, despite not always receiving the same recognition as their male counterparts. Although today you …
Read More»
The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games have come to an end, and the Republic of Korea was an amazing host. Given all of the glowing media reports about the Games’ infrastructure and organization, I’d say that the international community agrees. Korean cuisine and culture were introduced to a multitude of foreigners in a manner that …
Read More»
Every year, the U.S. Ambassadors to Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea hold a trilateral meeting to discuss issues related to Northeast Asia. This year, in my role as Chargé d’Affaires, I had the honor of inviting Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty and his wife Mrs. Christine Lock-Paddon Hagerty, as …
Read More»
We’re getting closer and closer to the start of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. I’m already very excited about the Olympics taking place in the Republic of Korea, but I was even more excited when I was given the honor of participating in the Olympic torch relay and carrying the Olympic flame. …
Read More»
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first designated national park in the Republic of Korea, Jirisan Mountain. All of Korea’s National Parks are managed by the Korea National Park Service (KNPS), which has done an incredible job conserving and protecting Korea’s 21 beautiful national parks. Established in 1987, 20 years after the opening …
Read More»
It’s that special time of the year again. The Holidays are just around the corner, with only a few days left in 2017. For many people, including myself, it’s a wonderful time of the year in the Republic of Korea: festive lights everywhere, gift shopping, holiday parties, and so on. But in addition to the …
Read More»
On November 25, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the new Korea Train Express (KTX) line connecting Seoul (and Incheon International Airport) with the eastern city of Gangneung, the main transportation hub for all of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Foreign Minister Kang invited hundreds of foreign diplomats and business and …
Read More»
Recently, the United States sent three of the world’s largest aircraft carriers – the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) – to the Western Pacific to carry out a three Carrier Strike Force exercise. This type of exercise, which included ships from the ROK Navy, serves …
Read More»
In the last month, three different hurricanes made landfall in the United States. Hurricane Harvey brought unprecedented flooding across the U.S. southern coast, with record rainfall and extreme winds causing widespread damage to homes and other buildings. Following Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma hit Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane Irma was a …
Read More»
The United States prides itself on its diversity. For this reason, the U.S. State Department strives to promote the values of tolerance and inclusion. As South Korea’s birth rate falls and immigration numbers rise, the Republic of Korea is becoming a more and more diverse country. This is happening on many levels – culturally, ethnically, …
Read More»
This year the U.S. Embassy was a proud sponsor of the 2017 Sokcho International Disability Film Festival. Established in 2014, the festival started as a small local event, providing a venue for people with disabilities to learn how to make movies and showcase their own films. This year’s festival featured the U.S. documentary Right Footed, …
Read More»
Did you know that over 100,000 girls play youth baseball each year in the United States, but only 1,000 of those girls go on to play high school baseball? What happens to the other 99,000 players? There are several reasons why the number of players diminishes over time. Some girls lose interest in the sport …
Read More»
Did you know that the city of Pohang has been organizing a fireworks festival for the last 14 years? Back in 2004, Korean global steel company POSCO (formerly known as Pohang Iron and Steel Company) held a fireworks festival on Pohang Citizens’ Day; it has since grown into one of the most popular international fireworks …
Read More»
Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Jeonju, a city with a unique history and a diverse culture. I was invited by Jeonju Mayor Kim Seung-su, a dynamic and energetic individual focused on promoting the city’s development as a green city. Thanks to the hospitality of Mayor Kim and the citizens of Jeonju, I had …
Read More»
Each year the U.S. Embassy tries to bring the fun and festivities that Americans enjoy during the Fourth of July to our friends in the Republic of Korea. The Fourth of July is a time for Americans from all walks of life to get together to barbecue, watch fireworks shows, and celebrate our nation’s independence. …
Read More»
The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity is a regional multilateral dialogue for promoting peace and prosperity in Asia. Launched in 2001, the annual Forum is hosted by the Government of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, with support from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and draws thousands of participants from all over the …
Read More»
Numerous U.S. congressional delegations (CODELs) visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) every year. Unlike the U.S. President, Secretary of State, or other members of the executive branch, a CODEL consists of members and senior staff of the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate (collectively, “Congress”), which make up the legislative branch of the …
Read More»
I would like to congratulate Moon Jae-in on becoming the new President of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Korea is one of our closest allies and friends, and I look forward to continuing our deep cooperation on a myriad of issues. President Donald Trump recently spoke on the phone with President Moon Jae-in to congratulate …
Read More»
On April 16, my wife, Suzuko, and I had the honor of welcoming U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his family to the Republic of Korea (ROK). His first trip to Asia since taking office in January, the Vice President came here to deliver a clear message to the South Korean people: “The United States …
Read More»
The biennial Seoul Motor Show opened its 2017 exhibition on March 30th. I was fortunate enough to be invited, give a few opening remarks, and tour the show floor. The number of amazing new vehicle models (including prototypes) on display and crowds of excited spectators highlighted the love of automobiles that both the United States …
Read More»
Can you imagine what it would be like to participate in a democratic society or work in a market-based economy for the first time after living under a totalitarian regime since birth? Simple things we take for granted, like knowing how to use an ATM, shopping in a supermarket, or riding public transportation, can be …
Read More»
On March 17, I had the pleasure of welcoming U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to the Republic of Korea (ROK). By visiting so early in his tenure, the Secretary underscored the importance of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and the strong foundation on which it rests. The Secretary’s schedule in the ROK was tightly packed, and …
Read More»
Several weeks ago I received a beautiful invitation, written in Korean calligraphy on traditional paper. It asked me to participate as a Grand Chief Master in the Seokjeon Daeje ceremony at the Munmyo Shrine in Sungkyunkwan. I was truly humbled by the invitation and even more so when I found out I would be the …
Read More»
Throughout our nation’s history, Americans have endeavored to realize the ideal that our nation should be a beacon of liberty and opportunity for the world. Countless generations of immigrants have come to our shores in order to better their lives and to gain greater personal freedoms. It is important to remember, however, that some Americans …
Read More»![[CDA Blog] 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Sports Envoy Chloe Kim](https://d2v9ipibika81v.cloudfront.net/uploads/sites/75/2017/02/DSC_2162-2-1.jpg "[CDA Blog] 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Sports Envoy Chloe Kim")
Greetings, everyone. Welcome to my new blog. I’ve been in Seoul for the past two years serving as the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission and just recently began my tenure as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. The U.S.-Korea alliance has grown tremendously strong over the past decade and it is an honor to represent the …
Read More»