The U.S. and South Korea held public diplomacy talks in Seoul to explore ways to expand cooperation. During these discussions, the U.S. side voiced concerns about South Korea’s proposed amendments to its Information and Communications Network Act.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. State Department, Ambassador for Public Diplomacy Lim Sang-woo met with U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers on Wednesday for the Second U.S.-South Korea Public Diplomacy Consultation.
Over a two-hour lunch and meeting, the two sides discussed several key areas, including bilateral public diplomacy cooperation, public diplomacy efforts in the Indo-Pacific region, collaboration for the 250th anniversary of American independence, and public diplomacy strategies during crisis situations.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum to enhance cooperation on commemorative projects for the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding this year. They also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Joint Fact Sheet announced by the leaders of both countries last November.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that both sides agreed on the importance of holding regular public diplomacy consultations and continuously developing cooperative initiatives.
The talks also addressed concerns regarding South Korea’s proposed amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act. The ministry stated that Under Secretary Rogers expressed worries that the legislation could potentially infringe on freedom of expression.
In response, a ministry official emphasized that the South Korean government, born from a democratic candlelight revolution, highly values freedom of expression. The official clarified that the proposed legislation aims to combat the spread of false and manipulated information.
The amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act are designed to strengthen the obligations of major platform operators to remove or block online misinformation and deepfakes, while also introducing a punitive damages system. These changes are set to take effect in July.
The U.S. State Department also issued a press release, confirming that they exchanged views on digital regulations, including the implementation of the network law amendments.
The State Department reiterated America’s commitment to freedom of expression and privacy, stressing that a digital ecosystem built on reliable and secure infrastructure is crucial for fostering innovation and genuine public discourse.
Both sides also discussed cooperation in the global information landscape. The State Department shared its approaches to countering anti-American foreign propaganda and influence operations, emphasizing responsive dialogue, rejecting censorship, and empowering the public to make informed judgments.
The two nations agreed that public diplomacy is more than just cultural exchange; it’s a vital tool for supporting core alliance policies.
The State Department emphasized that public diplomacy plays a crucial role in maintaining a modern, forward-looking U.S.-South Korea alliance, highlighting that the strong people-to-people ties between both countries are essential for sustaining the partnership.
The talks also covered the need to expand cooperation in shipbuilding and maritime sectors, as well as youth exchanges.
The State Department acknowledged South Korea’s global leadership in advanced shipbuilding and discussed how public diplomacy could support workforce development in these industries.
Both sides stressed that youth initiatives represent a critical investment in the next generation, promoting shared understanding of global challenges such as AI, energy, and economic security.
The two countries agreed to continue regular public diplomacy consultations and welcomed the proposal to hold the next meeting in Washington, D.C.
Following the talks, Under Secretary Rogers took to her social media platform X, stating that public diplomacy is where policy meets the people, emphasizing the special bond underpinning the U.S.-South Korea alliance and announcing the signing of the memorandum for cooperation on America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
