[Special Conference] Syngman Rhee and the US-ROK Alliance

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea and the 70th anniversary of the longstanding alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. In commemoration of these two pivotal events in US-ROK relations, the George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS) invites you to join us for a special conference analyzing Syngman Rhee’s legacy and his impact on the US-ROK alliance. Syngman Rhee, the first President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), received his B.A. degree from GW in 1907, a Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 1949, and an honorary degree (LL.D.) in 1954.

This conference will examine the Syngman Rhee period focusing on the historical perspectives of foreign policy, domestic politics, and cultural development. Additionally, the conference will examine Rhee’s role in the establishment of the US-ROK mutual defense treaty, which has played a key role in the security, development, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the conference will discuss the lasting impact of the defense treaty and its role in modern US-ROK relations. Historians and literary scholars will delve into these important issues over three-panel discussions throughout the conference.