Yeo Han-koo, former Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea, joins PIIE

WASHINGTON—The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) is pleased to announce that Yeo Han-koo, former trade minister of the Republic of Korea, joined the Institute as a senior fellow on June 5.

Yeo Han-koo completed almost three decades of public service as trade minister of the Republic of Korea in 2022, in the final year of the Moon Jae-in presidency.

A veteran international trade negotiator, Yeo has been involved in a number of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, including as the chief negotiator for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement, Korea–Central America Free Trade Agreement, Korea-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement. He was also an original participant in developing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

While serving as commercial attaché at the Korean Embassy in Washington, he was involved in amendment negotiations of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and Section 232 steel negotiations. As Korean minister of trade, he oversaw conventional trade negotiations, export controls, and investment screening. Yeo also led negotiations for Korea's export control measures against Russia in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I am truly honored and privileged to join one of the most prestigious international economic and trade specialized think tanks in the world," Yeo said. "The world is changing, and Washington is at the forefront of devising a new international economic order. I look forward to contributing to the thought leadership of the Peterson Institute at this critical juncture of the global trading system."

A graduate of Seoul National University, Yeo has served as visiting professor at the Seoul National University Business School, teaching international trade, negotiation, and economic security issues. Yeo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School.

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