Christopher Buskirk, co-founder of the U.S. political network Rockbridge Network (Rockbridge), visited Korea and met the board of Rockbridge Korea, including Shinsegae Group Chair Chung Yong-jin.

According to Rockbridge Korea on the 18th, Buskirk said at a dinner with the board on the 14th, "As the Trump administration launches, the United States is entering a new era of innovation and prosperity," and "the role of allies such as Korea is decisively important."

Also attending were former Democratic Party of Korea Supreme Council member Kim Hae-young, who chairs the Rockbridge Korea board, as well as Chair Chung, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and former Minister of Economy and Finance Bahk Jae-wan, who serve on the board.

Christopher Buskirk (bottom row, far right), co-founder of Rockbridge Network, visits Korea on the 14th and meets the Rockbridge Korea board. On the board are Chung Yong-jin (bottom row, second from right), chairman of Shinsegae Group, former Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea Kim Hae-young (top row, second from left), director Kim Boo-kyum, and director Bahk Jae-wan./Courtesy of Rockbridge Korea

Rockbridge is a political network co-founded by Buskirk with Vice President J.D. Vance. Unlike in the United States, Rockbridge Korea launched last November in the form of a policy think tank. Taking the opportunity of his visit to Korea from the 13th to the 15th, Buskirk will officially join the Rockbridge Korea board.

Buskirk expressed his gratitude to Chair Chung, who played a key role in the establishment of Rockbridge Korea. In response, Chung said, "Rockbridge's role is more important than ever in strengthening Korea-U.S. cooperation," and "I hope Rockbridge Korea grows into a foundation that voices what is necessary for Korea's national interest beyond the left-right camps."

Other board members also said they would continue policy discussions on international issues based on strengthened Korea-U.S. cooperation. Board Chair Kim Hae-young said, "The reality Korea faces is formidable, including population decline, weakening industrial competitiveness, and rapid shifts in the international order," and "cooperation with allies such as the United States and Japan is essential to break through this complex crisis."

Board member Kim Boo-kyum also said, "The principles and framework of the international order we learned from textbooks are being completely rewritten," and "we must overcome this crisis with extraordinary resolve and new strategies."

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.