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| 2026-04-01 22:45:55
(2nd LD) S Korea-US-public diplomacy
(2nd LD) S. Korea, U.S. discuss efforts to promote alliance through public diplomacy
(ATTN: UPDATES with State Department's release in paras 10, 12-16; CHANGES dateline)
SEOUL/WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Senior diplomats from South Korea and the United States discussed joint efforts Wednesday to bolster their alliance through various public diplomacy initiatives, ranging from digital communication to people-to-people exchanges, the foreign ministry said.
The dialogue took place between Lim Sang-woo, ambassador for public diplomacy, and Sarah Rogers, U.S. under secretary of state for public diplomacy, to explore avenues for practical cooperation in related areas.
The two sides agreed that public diplomacy is an essential policy tool for advancing key alliance priorities beyond its role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust between their peoples, the ministry said in a release.
They agreed to work together to better promote understanding of the value and importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance among people in both countries and the wider international community through strategic messaging, digital communication, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
They also shared the need to explore new avenues of cooperation amid a changing international landscape.
At the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence this year.
During the meeting, Rogers also reportedly conveyed the U.S. position regarding a recently passed revision to a South Korean law aimed at addressing false and fabricated online information.
The revision to the Information and Communications Network Act requires platform operators, such as Google, X and Meta, to remove or block false and manipulated content. The law is set to take effect in July.
Rogers noted that the U.S. administration is concerned the law could excessively restrict freedom of expression, while Lim explained that its purpose is not to limit free speech but to hold those who create false and manipulated information accountable, according to sources familiar with the matter.
In a media note, the State Department said that Lim and Rogers exchanged views on digital regulations, including on the Network Act amendment implementation.
Earlier, Rogers voiced similar concerns in social media posts, publicly highlighting the issue.
The department also said the two sides discussed the role of public diplomacy in supporting shipbuilding and maritime workforce development, recognizing South Korea's global leadership in advanced shipbuilding.
They highlighted youth initiatives as "critical" investments in the next generation, fostering shared understanding of global challenges, such as artificial intelligence, energy and economic security.
Moreover, they discussed the "essential" role of public diplomacy in a "modernized" and "forward-looking" bilateral alliance, and how to advance commitments by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in last year's joint fact sheet on various bilateral agreements, according to the department.
They also discussed the global information environment. Rogers outlined a U.S. approach to countering anti-American foreign propaganda and influence operations, which the department said emphasizes counterspeech, excludes censorship and aims to empower members of the public to make their own judgements.
"She underscored her interest in continued close consultation with the ROK to confront shared challenges," the department said. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
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