Daniel Shin

One notable example of "paying it forward" under a U.S. president's legacy is the Eisenhower Fellowships Program. This fellowship is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower to commemorate his lasting legacy as a war general in World War II and the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961.

I was privileged to participate in the closing events of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, in which my spouse was recently nominated along with powerful mid-career women leaders from all walks of life. Their closing events are usually held at their foundation's headquarters in Philadelphia, but this year, they organized several events in New York during the U.S. presidential election week.

To me, it was quite interesting to witness diverging reactions of people on the ground in the city of New York. It made me think hard about what could be lasting impacts of past presidents in the United States, encouraging future generations to uphold their values and continue the legacy of positive leadership for the nation and also for the world.

Certainly, it is a difficult time. Challenges are ahead of all of us. The stakes are high and the political and economic impacts of the decisions made by the U.S. president in the next four years will be huge.

Donald Trump's reelection as U.S. president has significant implications for the U.S.-South Korea relationship as well. Trump's return to office could lead to renewed pressure on South Korea to increase its defense spending. The two nations will very likely renegotiate the terms of the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Hence, President Yoon Suk Yeol faces the challenge of reaffirming and maintaining a stable relationship with the U.S. while navigating uncertainties and growing tensions in the region.

The Eisenhower Fellowships Program has contributed positively to building bridges between the U.S. and the world. The Fellowships Program was established in 1953 to honor President Eisenhower's dedication to fostering leadership and international exchange. The program continues to expand President Eisenhower's legacy by promoting peace and prosperity through global collaboration among global mid-career leaders. The Eisenhower Fellowships have grown into a prestigious and impactful program with a network of over 2,400 fellows from more than 115 countries. These fellows work across various sectors and regions, including government, business, academia and international organizations to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.

Spending six weeks to travel all over the U.S. with other influential women leaders, my spouse, who works at an international pharmaceutical company, has a positive impression of the United States. The true fellowship begins when the fellowship ends, as one of the fellows remarked during the closing event. Their lasting friendship will bond them together and they are committed to help each other. The Eisenhower Foundation will be a magnet for inspirational and impactful relationships and will have the relevant connections to catalyze positive change. The United States will certainly benefit from this lasting friendship and deep international connections that the foundation has cultivated over decades.

The U.S. and South Korea have a multifaceted relationship with cooperation spanning several key areas. Most importantly, they must maintain a strong military alliance, with U.S. troops to be stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korean aggression. North Korea has ratified a landmark mutual defense treaty with Russia. It is quite disruptive to see Russia's decision to turn to North Korea to request soldiers, including elite special forces, to continue Putin's brutal war against Ukraine. North Korea is prepared to send more troops to the Russian war effort. This should stop.

Eisenhower was a Republican and a former general who helped win World War II for the Allies. He understood America's true priorities. He always saw himself as a moderate rather than a conservative to have broader cooperation, believing in moderation and working to bring people to a nonideological middle ground and work on long-term solutions to difficult and complex problems. He was determined with his own conviction. He appointed both liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans to crucial positions including the Supreme Court. He worked with both sides of the congressional aisle and led the nation effectively during the Cold War.

Before his presidency, Eisenhower played a pivotal role in planning and executing major military operations as a five-star general in the U.S. Army. As president, he focused on containing the spread of communism, reducing federal deficits and developing the major government-backed infrastructure such as the Interstate Highway System in the United States. Richard Nixon, who eventually became Einsenhower's in-law, once praised Eisenhower by saying that Eisenhower remained through his final days the world's most admired and respected man, truly the first citizen of the world.

The United States needs strong leadership more than ever. It should not be disruptive and selfish to hold back another nation's fate for their own interests. Since winning the U.S. presidential election, Trump has been the center of attention. Republicans have taken the Senate majority and are likely to gain control of the House. Trump's top priority should be economic and political renewal at home.

There are lots of things that he can learn from former presidents. Eisenhower was also one of very few non-politicians to be elected as president (although he was supported by the Republicans). He entered the White House after 20 years of Democratic administrations led by Roosevelt and Truman. With a strong grip, Eisenhower led the nation through a difficult phase of the Cold War. President-elect Donald Trump will have to steer a fractured America and fix it by overcoming domestic political divisions and projecting strength abroad to make this fractured world get in order.

Daniel Shin is a venture capitalist who co-founded KingsBay Capital and senior luxury fashion executive, overseeing corporate development at MCM, a German luxury brand. He also teaches at Korea University.