In cooperation with the Mansfield Foundation in the United States, the Korea Foundation invited 11 U.S. next-generation policy experts to Korea from June 18 through 22, 2018.

The policy experts are interested in conducting research on Korea-related policy and building networks with their Korean counterparts. The group was comprised of specialists in East Asian issues and international relations from U.S. universities such as the University of Tampa, the University of Pittsburgh, Saint Louis University, Drake University, the University of North Texas, Washington College, the University of Arizona and the University of Maine.

During their stay in Korea, the American policy experts visited relevant institutions and ministries, including the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification and the National Intelligence Service, to receive briefings on and discuss Korea’s major foreign, unification and defense policy issues, the ROK-U.S. alliance, and the North Korean human rights issue.

Participating in the recent visit program, the Mansfield delegation of next-generation policy experts had in-depth discussions on the current situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula, prospects for inter-Korean relations and policy developments, and deepened their understanding of Korean society, politics and history.

The Mansfield Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1983 in memory of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Senator Mike Mansfield. It implements various international exchange programs and activities to improve U.S. relations with Asia.