When Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump meet next week at the White House, they’ll have much to celebrate: the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, a thriving bilateral alliance, and a new trade agreement that reflects the strength of our economic partnership.

But this first in-person meeting isn’t just symbolic. With global tensions rising and economic shifts underway, both leaders are expected to focus on how our alliance can develop further to better serve our people.

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As President Lee said in his National Liberation Day address last week: “If we fail to properly respond to this rapidly changing order, our nation’s future will be insecure and our people’s lives will be in jeopardy.” Fortunately, the alliance between the United States and South Korea offers a solid foundation for both nations to build upon.

Korea is recovering from a period of economic slowdown, thanks in part to President Lee’s quick action — including a supplementary budget that supported low-income families, small businesses, and domestic consumption. The recent trade agreement with the U.S. has helped restore confidence and strengthen commercial ties.

This progress aligns with America’s own economic momentum. Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. is reaffirming its position as a center of innovation and global economic strength. Last year’s election showed the American public’s desire for a new direction — and people are seeing results.

Our countries’ economic gains are complementary, not competitive. And there is much more we can achieve together.

Take shipbuilding, for example — a once-proud American industry that President Trump has often vowed to revive. Korea, with its cutting-edge technology and skilled workforce, now commands about 30% of the global shipbuilding market, second only to China.

Last year, Korea built 197 ships. We’re ready to help the U.S. bring back this vital sector. Reviving shipbuilding means more than building vessels — it creates entire ecosystems: shipyards, suppliers, transportation infrastructure, and high-paying jobs.

One example already underway is Hanwha Ocean’s acquisition of the Philly Shipyard. Since the takeover, operations have stabilized, workers are being retrained, and smart manufacturing is being introduced. This should be just the beginning.

Korea’s support doesn’t stop at shipbuilding. We’re global leaders in semiconductors and batteries. These are exactly the industries tied to President Trump’s efforts to strengthen America’s economic security, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.

This alliance has never been a one-way street, and today, that’s clearer than ever.

Korea is also one of America’s strongest and most reliable security partners. Not only in the Korean War but also in every U.S. war afterward, Korea has fought beside the U.S. We spend heavily on defense and are ranked the fifth-most powerful military by global firepower by a U.S. military evaluation agency. We’ve also almost entirely funded America’s largest overseas military base — all while carefully balancing deterrence and diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula.

The past year has been difficult for Korea. Our people resisted the return of martial law and defended the principles of our democracy. It reminded us that no democracy is perfect, and that every nation, no matter how advanced, must stay vigilant.

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Korea has endured colonial rule, the Korean War, and more recently, crises of political trust. We have made great strides, but we still look to America as a guiding example of democratic resilience.

As we mark 80 years of independence, and the U.S. prepares for 250 years in 2026, both our nations stand at pivotal moments. But perhaps what matters most is not the past we’ve lived, but the future we are building together — one rooted in shared interests, values, and purpose. This alliance — strong, dynamic, and evolving — is not only a model for others, but a critical partnership for the world.

Lee Joon-ho is chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States.