JoongAng Ilbo-CSIS Forum 2014 Welcoming Remarks by Dr. John Hamre

It is a great honor to be back in Seoul, which feels increasingly like my second home. I am honored to be here, partnering with my good friend and mentor, Chairman Ambassador Hong Seok-Hyun at this, the 2014 JoongAng Ilbo-CSIS Forum.  It is a privilege to be partnering with JoongAng Ilbo and with Ambassador Hong. I first met Ambassador Hong when he was Korea’s ambassador in Washington. During his time in Washington we had several difficult problems between our two countries, and he managed these problems with great skill and grace. He is a genuine policy intellectual, as well as a very successful businessman. We are privileged to partner with JoongAng Ilbo for this annual conference, bringing together the best minds in Korea and America to discuss the most pressing problems we face.