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After the Rain, the Ground Hardens: U.S.–ROK Relations at a Crossroads

At the Asia Society during UNGA80, ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun shared an optimistic vision for the U.S.–Korea alliance, highlighting new areas of cooperation in technology, energy, and security. He also addressed the Hyundai plant raid in Georgia, framing it as a challenge that could ultimately strengthen bilateral ties. This article reflects on his remarks and what they reveal about the future of U.S.–ROK relations.

Image Credit: Asia Society

Lessons in Global Collaboration

International collaboration can be powerful, but it’s often harder than it looks. At NOAA, I saw projects thrive when trust and communication were strong, and stall when cultural gaps got in the way. Those lessons pushed me to start Basanese Global Consulting, where I can help organizations bridge divides, avoid common pitfalls, and make global partnerships truly work.

Image Credit: Hunter Scott, Unsplash

Mikayla Basanese 10/8/25 Mikayla Basanese 10/8/25

President Lee Formally Inaugurates the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange

At the inauguration of South Korea’s Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, President Lee Jae Myung declared that culture is no longer a soft afterthought but a matter of statecraft. Standing alongside J.Y. Park of JYP Entertainment, Lee called for “fan sovereignty”, a vision where fans are not bystanders but co-owners of Korea’s cultural power. The new committee, composed of government and industry leaders, aims to bridge public policy and private creativity, transforming K-culture into a central engine of national growth. In doing so, Lee signaled a paradigm shift: popular culture as diplomacy, fandom as democracy.

Image Credit: Kim Ho-young, Presidential Office Photography Group

Mikayla Basanese 9/17/25 Mikayla Basanese 9/17/25

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Shapes South Korea’s Next Wave of Cultural Policy and Economic Growth

From the Sejong Digest 2.0 of the Sejong Society of Washington, D.C. - KPop Demon Hunters, now Netflix’s most watched movie ever, has made waves in economic growth and cultural policy.

Image Credit: NEWS1

Mikayla Basanese 7/23/25 Mikayla Basanese 7/23/25

Yoon Faces New Indictment as Special Counsel Investigations Continue

From the Sejong Digest 2.0 of the Sejong Society of Washington, D.C. - The investigation into former ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol continues.

Image Credit: Kim Hong-Ji, AP

Mikayla Basanese 6/18/25 Mikayla Basanese 6/18/25

BTS Members Return From the Military Amid HYBE’s Corporate Scandal

From the Sejong Digest 2.0 of the Sejong Society of Washington, D.C. - Members of the popular K-pop group BTS reunited after completing their military service. This reunion came as the HYBE chairman was under fire for a corruption probe.

Image Credit: Lee Jin-man, AP

Thought Leadership

President Lee Formally Inaugurates the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Shapes South Korea’s Next Wave of Cultural Policy and Economic Growth

Yoon Faces New Indictment as Special Counsel Investigations Continue

BTS Members Return From the Military Amid HYBE’s Corporate Scandal

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Thought Leadership

President Lee Formally Inaugurates the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Shapes South Korea’s Next Wave of Cultural Policy and Economic Growth

South Korea Confronts Demographic Decline as Aging Workforce, Shrinking Military, and Rising Health Costs Reshape the Nation

Yoon Faces New Indictment as Special Counsel Investigations Continue

BTS Members Return From the Military Amid HYBE’s Corporate Scandal

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Contact