Mission Statement

The mission of the U.S.-Korea Business Council is to enhance two-way trade and investment between the United States and Korea, and to promote the bilateral economic and political relationship at the highest levels of government and business in both countries.

About the U.S.-Korea Business Council

The U.S.-Korea Business Council is the leading American business organization promoting a strong relationship between the United States and Korea. The Council is made up of senior executives representing U.S. companies from every major business sector that are major investors in Korea and are firmly committed to the Korean market.

The members of the U.S.-Korea Business Council meet regularly with their counterparts in the Korea-U.S. Business Council, a counterpart organization of senior executives of major Korean companies. The two councils serve as the voices of the U.S. and Korean business communities respectively on bilateral economic and trade issues, and actively work to enhance two-way trade and investment between the United States and Korea. The councils develop and present proposals to the U.S. and Korean governments on priority trade and other policy issues through publications, joint statements, and conferences. They also serve as a mechanism for members to network and to forge long-term partnerships with their counterpart companies. Together the two councils are an important and unique forum for facilitating business relations between the two countries and for developing strategies to address bilateral and multilateral trade issues of shared priority.

U.S.-Korea Business Council Policy Priorities
• Secure successful approval of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement by the U.S. Congress.
• Promote a competitive Korean market through enhancing Korea’s regulatory environment.
• Support the inclusion of Korea in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program as soon as it meets the requirements for eligibility.
• Strengthen intellectual property rights protection and enforcement in Korea.
• Enhance labor market flexibility in Korea.

Council Activities and Resources

Council Plenary and Joint Interim Meetings
Each year members of the U.S.-Korea Business Council and Korea-U.S. Business Council come together at an annual plenary session and joint interim meeting. These high-profile meetings provide opportunities for members to exchange views with senior leaders from both governments and to discuss strategies and actions for addressing issues of shared interest in the bilateral relationship.

Forums with Government and Business Leaders
The Council holds regular business forums and events with senior Korean and U.S. government officials to discuss new developments in U.S.-Korea economic relations. The Council frequently meets with Korean government officials and National Assembly members visiting the United States.

Policy Statements and Publications
The Council produces policy publications and statements highlighting members’ priority issues, which are widely circulated and reviewed at the highest levels of the Korean and U.S. governments. The Council also provides members with regular update briefings and alerts on Korea economic and political issues.

Policy Working Groups
The Council’s working groups serve as forums for members to address key topics and recommend strategic actions for the Council to take in advancing members’ policy priorities.

Korea Presence
Council officials regularly conduct policy missions to Korea to promote members’ priorities in meetings with senior Korean officials and business leaders. The Council is represented by one on-the-ground staff member in Seoul, Korea, who promotes the Council’s agenda in Korea and monitors ongoing economic, legislative, and political developments.