The U.S.-Korea Relationship – Virtual Program

This is a virtual program, instructions on how to join this meeting will be sent the day before the event.

The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond the 400,000 dead, strained health care systems worldwide, and massive economic shocks. Relations between countries have also suffered as borders closed and responses were compared and criticized. The U.S.-Korean relationship, a crucial one for the United States, has not been spared as the United States imposed travel restrictions on visitors from South Korea. But the common interests the United States and the Republic of Korea share remain significant. South Korea was one of the first countries to abate the crisis due to their emphasis on testing and measures to trace possible patients. In recent talks between President Trump and President Moon Jae-in both leaders expressed the need to work together to defeat the pandemic and discussed strengthening the security relationship between the two countries. And, of course, the two countries continue to work together closely to counter the ever-present threat from North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-Un. Join the World Affairs Council and Ambassador Mark Lippert, the United States Ambassador to South Korea from 2014 to 2017, for a discussion on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the response to the pandemic and Korea’s role in the area. We are grateful to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle for making this event possible.

About the Speaker
Mark W. Lippert was the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Korea from 2014-2017. His previous government service includes chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; assistant secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs; and chief of staff and deputy assistant to the President at the National Security Council. Prior to serving in the Executive Branch, Ambassador Lippert worked in the United States Senate for 10 years, including serving as then-Senator Obama’s representative to the Foreign Relations Committee; a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee working for Senator Patrick J. Leahy on the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee; and as a foreign and defense policy advisor to Senator Tom Daschle.

On leaving government, Ambassador Lippert joined Boeing, serving as Vice President of Boeing International until May 2020. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Foundation.

Lippert also served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations supporting Naval Special Warfare (SEAL Teams). His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Basic Parachutist Badge. He is also the recipient of the Department of Defense’s Distinguished Public Service Award and the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award.

Ambassador Lippert graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and holds a master’s degree in International Policy Studies from the same institution. He studied Mandarin Chinese at Beijing University and Korean language at the Foreign Service Institute and Post Language Program.