Kim Koo, chairman and CEO of the International Leaders Empower Federation (ILEF) Foundation, poses at an inauguration ceremony for the Super PAC in New Jersey, Sept. 28, 2023. Courtesy of Kim Koo

Kim Koo, chairman and CEO of the International Leaders Empower Federation (ILEF) Foundation, advised Korean companies to establish and strengthen relationships with members of the U.S. Congress in districts or states in which they operate to ensure the stability of business activities in the United States.

He established the foundation in New Jersey in 2003 to amplify the Korean American political voice, nurture the next generation of leaders from ethnic minority groups and support their integration into mainstream American society. It later became a nonprofit organization of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

"Korean companies often hire lobbying firms, public relations agencies or think tanks after the election results to increase their outreach to the U.S. But these efforts are not sustainable. It's difficult to form and build a long-term relationship with the U.S. administration's Cabinet because they would be in high demand by the time a new U.S. president is elected," Kim said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

He said creating a Super PAC (political action committee) or making donations, even a small sum of money, to members of Congress in districts or states could be effective in navigating the complex U.S. political landscape.

Kim said he became the first Korean to establish a Super PAC in the U.S. in September 2023. A Super PAC in the U.S. is an organization that can freely collect and use funds for election-related political activities.

He emphasized the importance of Super PACs in the U.S., saying that Korean companies need to seek preemptive measures to fund political activities to realize sustainable management in the U.S.

Kim also stressed that the Korean government and companies should look beyond Donald Trump and start investing in the so-called "Make America Great Again" kids. "We need to keep in mind who could potentially replace Trump in the next election. They include Marco Rubio, Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk and JD Vance," he said.

The CEO, who is attending Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, said he aims to serve as a "bridge between Korea and the U.S."

"When we say ROK-U.S. alliance, we tend to focus heavily on military and security terms. But soft power can have a significant impact in shaping state policies and actions. The ILEF is focused on embracing Korean American identity and strengthening community engagement through cultural education," he said.

Kim said the government needs to implement a comprehensive strategy in seeking closer ties with the Trump administration. "Now that we are dealing with a leadership void, the government needs to seek 1.5 track talks with the Trump administration and coordinate with the private sector, including conglomerates, research institutes and law firms," he added.