July 19-22 GCIV hosted three distinguished National Assemblymen from Korea. Dr. Hyeong Joo Kim, Mr. Hwa Young Lee, and Mr. Gab Won Suh came to Atlanta to discuss U.S.-Korea security issues and counterterrorism efforts. These influential Korean legislators were invited by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program. In their trip to the U.S., they visited Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

While in Atlanta the group met with diverse professional resources working to improve U.S.-Korea relations, international studies, and economic development. The visitors started their

trip to Atlanta with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. After reflecting on the significance of the civil rights movement in the United States, the group met with Dr. John Endicott at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Endicott directs the Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy, which runs the Korea Initiative. They discussed U.S.-Korea Relations and many of the disarmament issues Dr. Endicott has worked to solve through CISTP.

Next, the delegation went to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. They were very interested in the promotion of trade between Korea and the state of Georgia. The group met with Kathe Falls, Director of International Trade, and Yoonie Kim in the Global Commerce Division. They discussed Georgia's efforts in increasing trade and attracting foreign companies, and discussed ways for Korea and Georgia to enhance trade relations. Later tha afternoon the group met with Georgia State Representative Sheila Jones. Representative Jones serves as the 5th Congressional District Chair for the Democratic Party of Georgia. She spoke with the group about her experience as a legislator and how political parties support candidates for election.

The following day the visitors went to Athens to meet with staff at the International Center for Democratic Governance at the University of Georgia. Mr. Peter Gess discussed the center’s work to build the governance capacity of emerging democracies, emphasizing the development of participatory, responsive, transparent, and efficient governments. While at UGA, the group also met with Mr. Mike Beck, Executive Director of UGA's Center for International Trade and Security. The center just launched a project in Korea with an agency overseen by the committee on which two of the Assemblymen serve. After leaving Athens the group came back to Atlanta and met with Peter White, President of the Southern Center for International Studies. Mr. White and his staff discussed their work to internationalize the thinking of the American public.

GCIV was honored to have the distinguished National Assemblymen come to Atlanta while in the United States. Their experiences here in Atlanta gave them the opportunity to build a broader base of knowledge in their daily work as Korean legislators. Hopefully their stay will help them in their efforts to promote peace on the Korean peninsula and between the U.S. and Korea. We look forward to hearing of their continued progress in their political careers.