Exclusive Interview: Feulner Predicts Harmony in U.S.-Korea Ties Under Trump

Edwin Feulner answers questions from the Korean correspondent team and the Washington office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. At his private office in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington D.C., on October 28 (local time)./ Man Ju Han. Washington correspondent

Edwin Feulner, the founder of The Heritage Foundation, has predicted that even if Donald Trump wins next year’s election, there will not be significant conflicts between South Korea and the U.S. on major issues such as the economy and national security.

In addition, Feulner suggested that restoring South Korea-Japan relations could potentially serve as a lever for drastic policy changes on the Korean Peninsula following Trump’s electoral victory.

◇ Positive Outlook on U.S.-Korea Relations Under Trump

Edwin John Feulner Jr., former president of The Heritage Foundation (1977-2013), a representative conservative think tank in the U.S., made this prediction during an interview. He met the Korean correspondent team and the Washington office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. The interview was conducted (KOTRA) at his office in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington D.C., on October 28 (local time).

In addressing concerns about the potential for abrupt shifts in policy toward South Korea, like the withdrawal or downsizing of U.S. troops and a substantial hike in defense cost-sharing, should Trump secure victory in next year’s election, Feulner explained, “Even with a Trump win, we’re looking at a scenario of foreseeable and equitable competition between South Korea and the U.S.” Feulner holds an optimistic outlook on the future trajectory of bilateral relations.

He mentioned that through conversations with former President Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other high-ranking officials, he has learned that Trump is very proud of renegotiating the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and will continue to support it.

Manju Han, Washington correspondent

◇ Leveraging South Korea-Japan Relations

Regarding policy adjustments in the Korean Peninsula under a possible second Trump administration, which hit a low point during Trump’s initial term, Feulner commented, “Trump will need to navigate a strengthened bond between South Korea and Japan.” He emphasized, “It’s in the best interest of the U.S. for South Korea and Japan to have a positive relationship. I believe both nations can engage in open and direct conversations with Trump about this matter.”

He emphasized his hope that Trump, if successful in re-election, will further develop the current U.S.-South Korea-Japan relations. Also, he expressed his intention to encourage him to do so.

According to Feulner, the upcoming U.S. election, just shy of a year away, is anticipated to be a closely contested battle right up to the finish line. He noted the pervasive exaggeration by both sides on social media, creating a considerable challenge for rational predictions. Nevertheless, he underscored that economic matters largely sway voters’ decisions. When asked, ‘Is it better now than four years ago?’ — reminiscent of the query Ronald Reagan posed to President Jimmy Carter in a 1980 TV debate — Feulner asserted that the domestic and international response can only lean toward “No.”

He added that looking at the interest rates, inflation rate, and wages that can’t keep up with the inflation rate, he cautiously thinks positively that Trump or other Republican candidates will be the winners.

Hamanju Washington correspondent

◇ Comparing Reagan and Trump Policies

In response to a request to compare the policies of former Presidents Reagan and Trump, Feulner, who served closely with both presidents, said, “One of the best things about working with President Reagan was that his path was obvious” and “One of the absolute central axes of his policy was ‘peace through strength,’ which means having a powerful domestic economy, military, and society to exert influence on the international stage.”

He served as the chairman of the U.S. Public Diplomacy Policy Advisory Committee and as an advisor to President Reagan on domestic policy from 1982 to 1991 during the Reagan administration. He received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in January 1989.

Hamanju Washington correspondent

Regarding the prospect of resuming U.S.-North Korea negotiations with the potential inauguration of a second Trump administration, Feulner said, “I think Trump has learned the lesson that a bilateral relationship with Chairman Kim Jong-un does not help solve the problem,” and “It did not help, and I think it will clearly not help in the future.”

Trump met with Kim Jong Un three times in Singapore, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Panmunjom in 2018 and 2019 but failed to reach any agreement on North Korea’s denuclearization.

Feulner emphasized, “North Korea is isolated, and the U.S. is regaining the ‘steering wheel,’ and regardless of who is in the White House, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan are closer than ever to ‘adding and multiplying.’ I think it’s good to wake North Korea up to this.”

He also expressed a negative view on the growing voices in support of independent nuclear armament in South Korea amid the intensifying North Korean nuclear threat, saying, “I don’t think it’s necessary.”

◇ Edwin Feulner’s Background and Influence

Feulner was leading in developing The Heritage Foundation, a representative conservative think tank he founded in 1973. He served as chairman from 1977 to 2013, to the point where the New York Times (NYT) called it the “Parthenon of conservative Washington.”

He has been involved in Trump’s policy advisory group since the 2016 election and was part of Trump’s presidential transition team. The Heritage Foundation announced ‘Project 2025,’ a national agenda for the next conservative government, targeting Trump’s re-election in September.

Feulner has been selected as one of the 100 most influential conservatives in the U.S. (2007-2010 by the UK’s Daily Telegraph), the top contributor to George W. Bush’s victory as selected by Karl Rove, the sixth most influential conservative in Washington D.C. (2009 by Forbes), and one of the 100 Americans most hated by the left (July 2010 by conservative magazine Townhall).

There are numerous photos of Republican Presidents Richard Nixon, Reagan, George HW. Bush, George W. Bush, and Trump in his office.

In addition, he has visited Korea more than 100 times and has many acquaintances in various fields in Korea. He said he could not have imagined 25 years ago, when he had a Sony TV and drove a Lexus and Cadillac, that he would now have LG and Samsung TVs and drive a Genesis. He also said it was unimaginable even 10 years ago that Korean shipbuilding companies such as Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries would visit the U.S. Navy for joint negotiations.

By. Man Ju Ha