What impact is the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic crisis having now and going forward on the relationships between the U.S., South Korea, and India? How does it impact their respective visions for the future of regional institutions and relationships in the Indo-Pacific? What is the prognosis for U.S. and Chinese leadership -- and rivalry -- and how does this impact the region? Is a regional economic or security architecture more or less possible, or desirable, post-pandemic? Join us for a conversation with Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Korea, Deputy Chief of Mission for the South Korean Embassy in Washington Moon Seoung-hyun, and President of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum Mukesh Aghi, moderated by Korea Society Board Chair Ambassador Kathleen Stephens. With vibrant economic ties and a common commitment to democracy, how can Washington, Seoul, and New Delhi work together to respond to transnational threats and a rising China?
This program is produced in proud collaboration between the Korea Society and the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC). FMC’s Congressional Study Group on Korea is a non-partisan, non-advocacy legislative exchange program that provides educational opportunities for Members of Congress and congressional staff on critical issues related to U.S.-ROK bilateral partnership.
Indo-Pacific relations in the time of COVID19
with
Kathleen Stephens, Mukesh Aghi, Seoung-hyun Moon and Ami Bera
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 | 2:30 PM
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Ambassador Kathleen Stephens is Board Chair of the Korea Society and President & CEO of the Korean Economic Institute. Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens is a former American diplomat. She was U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea 2008-2011. Other overseas assignments included postings to China, former Yugoslavia, Portugal, Northern Ireland, where she was U.S. Consul General in Belfast during the negotiations culminating in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and India, where she was U.S. Charge ‘d Affaires (2014-2015).
Mukesh Aghi is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Dr. Aghi has extensive experience working with business and government leaders in the U.S. and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two countries. He also currently serves as a trustee at Claremont Graduate University. Previously, Dr. Aghi served as Chief Executive and Member of the Board at L&T Infotech where he expanded the business on a global level. During his time at Steria, Inc. (India), Dr. Aghi served as Chairman and CEO of the Asia-Pacific region.
Seoung-hyun Moon has served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C. since October 2019. Prior to assuming this position, Amb. Moon served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Czech Republic from 2016 to 2019. Amb. Moon served as Secretary to the President for Foreign Affairs at the Office of the President from February 2015 to August 2016. Throughout his career, he has taken on duties related to North America and has served as Director-General and Director for North American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988, Amb. Moon has been assigned to the United States four times including his current position.
Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) is Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Korea. Rep. Ami Bera has represented California’s 7th Congressional District since 2013. He currently serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. He was elected as Vice-Ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in January 2017. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Before his time in Congress, Rep. Bera was the Chief Medical Officer for Sacramento County.
