CAPP Events: 2004

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James Thomson's Visit to the Republic of Korea, June 7 - 12

To explore opportunities for further cooperation with the Republic of Korea, RAND's CEO, James Thomson, spent June 7 - 12 in Seoul meeting with Korea's Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, National Security advisor as well as other cabinet officials and private sector executives.

With Nina Hachigian, Bruce Bennett, Bill Overholt, and Somi Seong, Thomson visited the Korean peninsula just as the US announced plans to withdraw 12,500 troops.  The timing of his trip made for lively discussions with national security officials and for front-page headlines in The Korea Times.  His remarks on the partial troop withdrawal also appeared in the Chosun Ilbo and the JoongAng Daily.

Thomson met with national security officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon, Minister of National Defense Cho Young-kil, and National Security Advisor Kwon Jin-ho.  They discussed the difficulties currently facing the alliance as well as North Korea policy.  He also met with ministries with domestic portfolios such as education, health, commerce, and science and technology.  With several members of the RAND team, Thomson met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Ahn Byoung-young; Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Moon Kyung-Tae; Deputy Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Kim Chil Doo; and the Minister of Science and Technology Oh Myung.  They also paid a visit to General Leon LaPorte, the commander of UN Forces and the commanding general of US Forces in Korea, and Thomas Hubbard, the US Ambassador.

Thomson then held a briefing for the leaders of the Federation of Korean Industries, an industry group.  Thomson gave an overview of RAND, after which Bennett delivered a presentation on the North Korean threat and Overholt discussed China's economy.  The Korean press was out in force, and Bennett's presentation appeared in several newspapers the following day. Thomson also met with the President of the Korea Foundation and his team.