U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers is visiting South Korea to discuss strengthening U.S.-Korea public diplomacy cooperation and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
The State Department announced on Monday that Deputy Secretary Rogers will arrive in South Korea to participate in the 2nd U.S.-Korea Public Diplomacy Dialogue, scheduled for April 2 in Seoul. Ambassador Im Sang-woo, head of the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Office, will lead the South Korean delegation. Both nations aim to explore ways to expand public diplomacy cooperation and joint efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
A State Department official noted that this dialogue will serve as a platform for both countries to broaden their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through public diplomacy and to discuss various collaborative initiatives in light of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
During her visit, Deputy Secretary Rogers plans to promote partnerships for training programs. The State Department anticipates this will strengthen digital freedom cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and create stronger links between economic and regional security objectives and public diplomacy efforts.
Before her South Korea trip, Deputy Secretary Rogers visited Japan, meeting with government officials and attending the Japanese Grand Prix with key Japanese investors to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial.
The State Department emphasized that through this trip, Deputy Secretary Rogers will advance key bilateral and trilateral issues and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression and digital liberty, while highlighting American values during the 250th anniversary celebrations.
Notably, Deputy Secretary Rogers has publicly criticized South Korea’s proposed amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act, citing concerns over freedom of expression and digital rights.
Last December, she stated on her social media platform (X) that while it claims to address deepfakes, the actual scope is excessively broad and could impede technological cooperation. The State Department subsequently issued a statement expressing serious concerns, citing unnecessary barriers and opposition to censorship, and urged a review of the legislation.