November 10, Sang Hyun Lee, President of the Sejong Institute, presented and debated in the 2022 Korean Peninsula Forum co-hosted by the Center for Korean Studies of University of Washington and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle(Consul General Eunji Seo). The Forum was presided over by professor Yongchul Ha. Panels included Scott Snyder(CFR), emeritus professor Kenneth Pyle and professor James Lin. The Forum put forth the theme “Democracy and U.S.-Korea Partnership”, which differed from topics frequently chosen, such as North Korea Issues. With the global democracy on the decline, rising of authoritarianism and illiberal democracy underscores the significance of U.S. and South Korea to serve as a model through strengthening democracy hand in hand. As the Yoon Suk-yeol administration emphasizes value-based diplomacy such as democracy, a crucial task is expected for Yoon on how to manage the dissonance which may arise from the conflict between value and interest.