Forging the Next Era for the US–ROK convenes policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to reflect on the historical foundations of American leadership while charting a forward-looking agenda for one of the United States’ most consequential alliances. Marking a milestone moment in U.S. history, the conference examines how the U.S.–Republic of Korea alliance is being reshaped by economic security imperatives, technological transformation, and evolving national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
The conference is organized around two panels that collectively move from alliance history and strategy to economic and technology cooperation, and finally to management of the North Korean issue. Together, these discussions assess how the alliance can better integrate diplomatic, economic, industrial, and security tools to remain credible, resilient, and effective in shaping future regional and global order.
Keynote Speakers
Brian Finlay, President & CEO, Stimson Center
Kang Kyung-hwa, South Korean Ambassador to the United States
Panel Discussions
Panel I: Beyond Security: The Economic and Technological Foundations of the US-ROK Alliance
Drew Ferguson, SVP, Hyundai Motors USA
Drew Ferguson oversees U.S. government affairs at Hyundai Motor Group’s Washington, D.C. office, leading strategic collaboration, and policy engagement with federal and state governments. He previously served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he played a key role in coordinating legislative strategy as the Chief Deputy Whip for the Republican Party.
Mingu Lee, Managing Partner, Cleveland Avenue, LLC
Mingu Lee is Managing Partner at Cleveland Avenue, where he leads the CA Tech Fund investing in AI, robotics, and digital experience. He previously served as Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President at Samsung SDS America, overseeing U.S. operations in AI, 5G, blockchain, and smart factory solutions. Earlier, he held CTO and senior engineering roles at Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman supporting U.S. defense systems. He is Global Governing Body Chair of XSamsung, the Samsung Global Alumni Network, and holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University and an AMP from Harvard Business School.
Scott Thompson, Head Trade Policy Counsel, Samsung Electronics America
Scott Thompson is Head Trade Policy Counsel in Samsung Electronics’ Washington, DC office, where he focuses on international trade, foreign affairs, immigration, and tax policy, and helps oversee broader public affairs issues including national security and consumer protection. He previously worked at Patton Boggs LLP, served in the U.S. Congress as a Legislative Assistant, and held roles at the U.S. Department of State in European and political-military affairs.
James Kim, Program Director, Korea, Stimson Center (Moderator)
J. James Kim is Director of the Korea Program at the Henry L. Stimson Center and a lecturer at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He previously served as Director of Public Opinion at the Korea Economic Institute of America and spent over a decade at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul and Washington.
Panel II: North Korea’s Evolving Global Impact and Rising Challenges for the US-ROK Alliance
Rachel M. Lee, Senior Fellow, 38 North Program, Stimson Center
Rachel Minyoung Lee is a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center’s Korea Program and 38 North and co-chair of GWU’s North Korea Economic Forum. A former U.S. government analyst (2000–2019), she covered North Korean politics, economy, and security. She later worked at ONN and was a 2025 East-West Center fellow.
Vann Van Diepen, Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation
Vann H. Van Diepen is an independent consultant after serving 34 years in the US Government on WMD issues. From 2009-2016, he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation (including over two years as Acting Assistant Secretary). From 2006-2009, he was the US National Intelligence Officer for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Proliferation.
Martyn Williams, Senior Fellow, 38 North Program, Stimson Center
Martyn Williams is a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center’s Korea Program and 38 North, focusing on North Korea’s technology, infrastructure, and propaganda. He founded North Korea Tech in 2010, is a former IDG journalist, a Stanford fellow, and author of “Digital Trenches: North Korea’s Information Counter-Offensive.”
Iliana Ragnone, Research Associate and Producer, 38 North Program, Stimson Center (Moderator)
Iliana Ragnone is a Research Analyst for the 38 North Program at the Stimson Center. Prior to joining Stimson, she was a Program Assistant at the Foreign Service Institute, a part of the Department of State. She holds a B.A. in International and Area Studies and Chinese Language and Culture from Washington University in St. Louis.