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American Chamber of Commerce in Korea

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), a group of US businesspeople working in South Korea, plans to pay its first US visit since President Donald Trump’s inauguration to request that senior economic officials continue to enforce the South Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).

AMCHAM’s Doorknock delegation is scheduled to visit the US on May 15-18 to provide data demonstrating the benefits of the FTA and other forms of trade and commerce between the two sides. Since 1985, AMCHAM Doorknock delegations have met annually with senior officials and policymakers in major US cities to discuss issues affecting US businesses in South Korea. Members will be attending around 50 senior-level meetings during the trip, with visits to the White House, State Department, Commerce Department, Treasury Department, and Office of the US Trade Representative.

AMCHAM said it plans to stress the importance of continued enforcement of the KORUS FTA and the various benefits of the South Korea-US trade relations, including creation of jobs in the US by South Korean business and direct investment.

This year’s delegation will include representatives from Hyundai Motor, a first for a South Korean business. Hyundai Motor Washington office Vice President of Government Affairs David Kim and Vice President Kim Chul-hwan will be participating in the nine-person delegation alongside AMCHAM Korea chairperson and GM Korea CEO James Kim and Partners for the Future Foundation chairperson and Kim & Chang attorney Jeffrey Jones.

“This year’s Doorknock is especially timely and significant with new presidents in place for both countries,” James Kim said.

“We also seek to discuss issues with President Moon Jae-in after the Doorknock,” he added.

By Cho Kye-wan, staff reporter

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