Driving the Future Together: How U.S.-Korea Cooperation Powers the E-Mobility Revolution

Join for the Symposium and Gala Dinner presented by Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of Republic of Korea. Network with members from these organizations as well as leaders of the Korea – U.S. economic relationship communities. ​The goal of the forum will be to help facilitate meeting of professionals and corporations interested in the cause to developing and understanding the E-mobility trends for the future. Please RSVP to attend. 

Topics include:

• Forum to promote cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Korea to successfully have joint economic developments.
• Key industry trends, Executive panels, E-mobility leaders, Professional leaders and educators talk about invaluable insights on how to development and prepare for the next generation of E-mobility technological advancement challenges and opportunities.

SPEAKER BIOS:

Breakthroughs in Battery Technology, Associate Professor Lee Seung-woo, Georgia Tech

Dr. Lee joined the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology as an assistant professor in January 2013. Dr. Lee received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at MIT, focusing on designing high-energy and high-power density nanostructured electrodes for electrochemical energy storage, and synthesizing catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion of small molecules such as methanol oxidation and O₂ reduction. He conducted his postdoctoral research in designing electrodes for lithium rechargeable batteries and catalysts for solar energy storage in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry at MIT.

Dr. Lee’s research focuses on understanding electrochemical energy conversion and storage mechanisms as well as on designing electrochemical systems that can link renewable energy sources with various end-user applications. The development of these technologies is a critical factor in supporting new transportation technologies, load-leveling for solar and stationary power applications, and fast-evolving portable electronic devices. To respond to these challenges, we will explore the following interconnected research areas.

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The Future of the EV Industry, Professor Woongchul Choi, Kookmin University

Prof. Woongchul Choi serves as a Professor of the Department of Automotive Engineering at Kookmin University in Korea. He started his professional career as founder of FloCoTec, Inc. a high-tech venture company in Columbus, Ohio specializing in the development of stereoscopic image-based flow field measurement systems. He and his company enjoyed considerable success over a span of 20+ years, carrying out numerous research projects with Ford and other major automotive OEMs.

In 2010, Prof. Choi returned to Korea, whereupon his services became highly sought after not only by the government, but also by world-class private sector companies. Prof. Choi works closely with Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Hyundai Motors, and SK Group. In keeping with the electrification of the mobility sector, his activities have a strong EV emphasis. His recent projects include: the development of battery swappable electric bus as a public transportation system; battery pack thermal management systems; and strategy development of charging infrastructure. His research interests include characterization of battery cells, diagnostics and performance evaluation of battery cells and modules, development of super-fast charging algorithms causing little damage to battery cells, and more on xEV Systems integration.

Due to the practical nature of his engineering work, Prof. Choi has strong working relations with nearly all major personalities, companies, industry associations, government research centers and policy making bodies in Korea. He has many patents under his name.

Prof. Choi was born and raised in Korea. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University in 1987 and earned both his Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1989 and 1995, respectively. Prof. Choi is a keen sportsman, his preferred game being a basketball.

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PANEL DISCUSSION & REMARKS – SPEAKERS:

​Yoonjoo Park is H.E. Consul General, representing Consulate of the Republic of Korea who arrived in Atlanta in June 2021 to begin his current post. The Republic of Korea Consulate in Atlanta opened in 1976 and covers the states Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Previously, Consul General Park held various positions such as Counsellor of the Korean Embassy in Iran, Director of North America Division Ⅱ, Deputy Consul-General of the Korean Consulate General in Boston, Counsellor of the Korean Embassy in Australia, Deputy Director-General for North American Affairs, and Director-General for Human Resources. He earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Seoul National University in 1993 and a master’s degree in International Trade and Investment from George Washington University in 2002. He is married and has one son and one daughter.

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Lynn Fischer Fox, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary with the US Department of Commerce, advises clients on international trade policy and litigation matters. Her practice focuses on trade remedies, including antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard actions; counseling companies on trade agreements and trade negotiations; as well as providing advice to companies navigating trade and investment barriers imposed by foreign governments. She brings a wealth of government experience and skills to her practice, including a deep understanding of how to help clients navigate new and existing trade policies and regulations. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Fischer Fox served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations in the International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce. During her time there, she coordinated the formulation and implementation of policies governing trade agreement compliance and the administration of antidumping and countervailing duty laws. In addition, she coordinated with attorneys and policy staff on World Trade Organization (WTO)disputes involving trade remedy matters, as well as directing the Department’s efforts on trade remedy negotiations at the WTO and in bilateral agreements. During her tenure in government, Ms. Fischer Fox led successful settlement negotiations for a number of high-profile trade remedy cases. She also directed a team that monitored foreign government compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and advocated on behalf of US industries facing foreign trade and investment barriers. Earlier in her career, Ms. Fischer Fox spent more than a decade in private practice. She represented clients in diverse agency proceedings, including antidumping and countervailing duty cases, safeguard investigations, and section 337 investigations. She litigated trade matters before US courts and advised clients on trade agreements, foreign market access, and trade agreement negotiations, as well as US regulatory and compliance matters. She also worked as an Energy & Climate Policy Officer at the Commission for Environmental Cooperation and as a Trade and Environment Specialist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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Yong Sohn is currently is Chief Executive Coordinator in charge of Government Affair for the Hyundai Motor Company Washington Office and previous held positions as General Manager of the Global PR Team in charge of public relations for Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors and key group initiatives, Executive Coordinator at Hyundai Motor America in charge of public relations, marketing and CSR, Deputy General Manager of the Overseas Promotion Team in charge of global promotional events including auto shows in the U.S., Europe and China, Manager at the Overseas Advertising Team in charge of executing production and media executions for global advertising campaigns, Manager at the Sports Marketing Team in charge of global sponsorships including the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Korea. Mr. Sohn is a Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), MBA and Yonsei University, BA.

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Steven Jahng is Director/Head of External Affairs/Social Value for SK Battery America, Inc. Prior to joining SK Battery America, Mr. Jahng was Executive Director for JP Morgan in Seoul and Singapore. Prior to that, he was Director at HSBC Investment Bank in Seoul. Mr. Jahng graduated from Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied Science with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

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Jae Kim is President of The Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce, with responsibilities to lead the organization. Also, as Board Director, he has responsibilities to organize board meetings to drive promotion and development of the organization’s mission and objectives, including management of membership, events, and activities. He is Senior Manager at Aprio, LLP with 12 years of experience. He has expertise in bridging international relationships, with a focus on U.S.-Korea cross-border investments and economic ties. Prior to joining Aprio, LLP he had worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Deloitte, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson. He graduated with a Masters Science in Accounting from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, and a B.S. in Business Administration – Accounting from Butler University, Lacy School of Business. Born in Seoul, South Korea, he lived and grew-up in Zimbabwe and South Africa for over 10 years as an Expat family as part of Daewoo Corporation.