The ROK-US Strategic Forum is an annual meeting of policy makers and scholars from the Republic of Korea and the US in the fields of politics, diplomacy, security, economics and trade. The Forum aims to enhance mutual understanding of the two countries’ policies and develop new ways of cooperation through expert discussion.

Following the summit meeting between the Republic of Korea and Japan in Gyeongju in 1993, the first Korea-Japan Forum was organized in Seoul in December of the same year. Since the inaugural meeting, the annual Forum has been held alternately in each country. Through the exchange of ideas and discussions on key bilateral issues, the Forum contributes to promoting new partnerships and future-oriented bilateral relations between Korea and Japan.

The Korea Foundation and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs hosted the first Korea-China Forum for the Future in Beijing in 1994 following their agreement to establish a permanent dialogue channel between the two countries’ opinion leaders in 1993. Held annually and alternately in each country ever since, the Forum has established itself as a comprehensive dialogue channel to promote regional cooperation in various areas, enhance mutual understanding, and develop relations between Korea and China.

As the foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation agreed in 1997 to establish a comprehensive dialogue channel between the two countries’ leading figures, the first Korea-Russia Forum was held in Moscow, Russia in 1999. Organized annually and alternately in each country in the years following its conception, the Forum has taken root as a comprehensive meeting for the two countries’ experts and high-ranking officials to discuss strategic and diplomatic cooperation and current issues, thereby promoting the development of bilateral relations.

The Korea-Germany Forum is a 1.5-track dialogue channel to promote bilateral relations between the Republic of Korea and Germany with the participation of leading figures from the political, societal, economic and cultural spheres. The Forum has been held annually and alternately in each country since the first gathering in Seoul in 2002. Discussion results on major issues are submitted as policy recommendations to the respective governments and relevant organizations, thereby consolidating future-oriented relations and promoting exchange between the two countries’ leaders in various sectors.

The Korea-Spain Forum is a dialogue channel between leaders of the Republic of Korea and Spain in the fields of politics, economics, science, culture, journalism and beyond to facilitate open discussion on matters of mutual concern. Promoting new cooperation and proposing a constructive vision for future-oriented relations, the Forum also serves as an occasion for building a network between the two countries’ leaders.

The Korea-France Forum contributes to open dialogue on key issues, building a network of prominent leaders of the two countries in the fields of politics, economics, culture and education.

The Korea-EU Forum is a 1.5-track meeting of Korean and European policy makers and scholars in the sectors of governance, diplomacy, security, economics and trade. Through the exchange of ideas and discussion on key issues facing the two sides, the Forum offers vital contributions to enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening future-oriented cooperative relations, and promoting active exchange between leaders of the two sides.

The Korea-Italy Forum began as a comprehensive dialogue channel between the two countries’ leaders on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Italy in 2004. The Forum aims to develop means of promoting bilateral cooperation and development across a range of sectors by enhancing understanding and exchanging ideas.

The Korea-Singapore Forum is a 1.5-track dialogue channel between Korean and Singaporean leaders in a range of areas to enhance friendly ties and exchange between the two countries. The Forum held its first gathering in Singapore in 2013, and second in Seoul in 2015. Establishing itself as a comprehensive dialogue channel, the Forum serves as a meeting of the two countries’ leaders to develop cooperation on matters of mutual concern and promote the development of bilateral relations.

The inaugural Korea-Vietnam Forum for the Future was held in Hanoi back in 2012 in accordance with the agreement made in the same year to build a dialogue channel between the two countries’ leaders, marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. The Forum has since been held alternately in each country every two years. Forum participants engage in open discussions on major issues, regional concerns and ways to increase cooperation, submitting discussion results to their respective governments and relevant organizations, thereby strengthening bilateral ties.

The Korea-ASEAN Forum was launched in 2006 in accordance with the action plan adopted at the summit meeting between the Republic of Korea and ASEAN in 2005. Establishing itself as a 1.5-track dialogue channel to consolidate relations between Korea and ASEAN, the Forum serves as an occasion for exchanging ideas on matters of mutual concern between opinion leaders in the fields of politics, economics, society and culture.

Since the first gathering in 2003, the Korea-India Strategic Dialogue has served as an occasion for regular discussion between Korean and Indian opinion leaders, promoting better understanding of Korea and contributing to friendly bilateral relations.

Since the first meeting in 2003, the Korea-Canada Forum has secured and operated a high-level public diplomacy channel to build mutual trust and strengthen policy cooperation between the two middle powers. The Forum has helped build a system of support for implementing the two sides’ international economic and diplomatic strategies.