The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2014

FACT SHEET: The President’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative

Today, President Obama hosted a town hall with youth from across the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).  YSEALI is the President’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in ASEAN, deepen engagement with young leaders on key regional and global challenges, and strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and young Southeast Asian leaders.  President Obama announced YSEALI via video message December 2013 during the LEAD ASEAN Youth Summit in Manila, Philippines.

Engaging and strengthening ties with young people is a critical element of the United States’ rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region.  Recognizing that over 65 percent of ASEAN’s population is under the age of 35, YSEALI is an important investment in the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders.  This initiative expands existing U.S. engagement in the region to better empower, support, and connect youth across Southeast Asia.  Learn more about YSEALI here. 

Developing Innovative Solutions to Shared Challenges

Over the coming months, the State Department will host YSEALI Generation Workshops aimed at developing a regional network for youth in ASEAN countries to collaborate on solving common challenges and creating new opportunities.  At YSEALI Youth Summits, cross-regional teams will present proposals to tackle economic, environmental, education and civic engagement challenges to leaders in business, government, and civil society and share their perspectives on regional issues.  YSEALI Seeds for the Future will provide funding for many of these teams to implement their ideas.

YSEALI will also encourage creative solutions to major global issues through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) newly-launched Development Innovations Lab in Cambodia, which will be the first of several such labs that are being created across ASEAN.  The Lab will provide a platform for youth to innovatively address development challenges through creative applications of technology, while strengthening and building networks of leaders in civil society and social entrepreneurship.  The Labs will provide young people specialized training and mentoring in communication and leadership skills from experienced ICT professionals, civil society leaders, and established social entrepreneurs.  They will have access to state-of-the-art computers, software, and equipment, as well as in-person discussion forums aimed at nurturing new ideas and information sharing.

Elevating the Ideas of Young Leaders

Launched at today’s town hall, YSEALI Talks provides a platform for young leaders to share their ideas, initiatives, and innovations.  By organizing and presenting a YSEALI Talk, youth can generate support for their ideas, both within their own communities and across a broader network.  Participants in today’s town hall will be the first to present YSEALI Talks and will help others develop their own events. #YSEALITalks will enable young leaders to connect, contribute to a broader conversation, and collaborate on creating new initiatives.  Information on how to join the initiative and create a YSEALI Talk is available here. 

Linking Young Leaders

YSEALI Connects will expand opportunities for young leaders from Southeast Asia to participate in new State Department-organized exchanges in the United States.  Working with their American counterparts, young leaders will be able to discover the latest tools, trends, and technology in their field.  These programs will allow ASEAN and American young leaders to develop new solutions for key issues such as economic development, environmental protection, education, and civic engagement.  The first exchanges will take place this summer at university campuses across the United States, with a focus on the environment.   Another program is slated to take place later this fall.

YSEALI Online will virtually connect young leaders from across the region and will offer an array of resources, networking opportunities, and trainings.  The internet-based platform will encourage young people to collaborate on regional strategies for tackling issues of shared concern and will provide them an avenue to further their own development through courses on leadership, entrepreneurship, and major trends.  The YSEALI website will also be regularly updated with information on upcoming events, courses, and opportunities.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2014

Joint Statement By President Obama And Prime Minister Najib Of Malaysia

The Honorable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America held a bilateral meeting on 27 April 2014 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The two leaders reflected on the historic nature of President Obama’s State Visit to Malaysia, the first Presidential visit in 48 years, and the resilience of bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United States.  Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further enhance Malaysia – U.S. engagement on issues of bilateral, regional and international importance.

Reflecting on the search for missing flight MH370 which carried passengers and crew from 14 nations, including Malaysia and the United States, the Prime Minister expressed Malaysia’s gratitude to President Obama for the United States' unwavering support.  Malaysia is heartened by the presence of the United States from day one in the ongoing operations to locate flight MH370.  The support received exemplifies the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Recognizing the growing cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas, Prime Minister Najib and President Obama decided to elevate the Malaysia – U.S. relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership with the aim of advancing the two countries’ common interests and the shared values of the people of the United States and Malaysia.  Under the Comprehensive Partnership, both countries commit to further strengthening dialogue mechanisms in key areas including political and diplomatic cooperation, trade and investment, education and people-to-people ties, security and defense cooperation, as well as collaboration on the environment, science and technology, and energy.

Political and Diplomatic Cooperation

The Prime Minister and the President welcomed the increasing high-level interaction between the two countries in recent years, including the numerous Cabinet-level exchanges of visits, and encouraged continued dialogue at various levels. Both sides also committed to reinvigorate the Malaysia – U.S. Senior Officials Dialogue as a key forum to pursue the implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership through regular consultations.

The Prime Minister appreciated the United States’ presence in Asia which contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. President Obama reiterated the United States’ strong support for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the importance of East Asian regional institutions. President Obama also welcomed Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015 and expressed confidence that under Malaysia’s stewardship, ASEAN would further its regional ambition of economic integration.

The Prime Minister and the President acknowledged the importance of peace and stability for the security and economic prosperity of nations.  The leaders exchanged views on recent developments in the South China Sea and affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, including critical waterways in the South China Sea. The two leaders underscored the importance of all parties concerned resolving their territorial and maritime disputes through peaceful means, including international arbitration, as warranted, and in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two leaders highlighted the importance of all parties concerned avoiding the use of force, intimidation, or coercion, and exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities.

The Prime Minister and the President reaffirmed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in enhancing mutual trust and confidence amongst all parties concerned and recognized the need for ASEAN and China to work expeditiously towards the establishment of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The two leaders underscored their commitment to promoting respect for human rights, as well as the importance of a vibrant and independent civil society consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights law.  Respect for diversity, respect for the freedom to express different views and practice different faiths, respect for all religions and respect for the rights of all in the populations are essential to healthy and prosperous democracies.

 

Both leaders welcomed efforts to promote tolerance and inter-faith understanding and counter violence and extremism. In relation to this, the two leaders also appreciated the goals of the Global Movement of Moderates to promote greater understanding and moderation among people of all faiths by expanding government-to-government and people-to-people engagement.

President Obama commended Malaysia’s leading role in facilitating the Southern Philippines Bangsamoro peace process that led to the recent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Both leaders welcomed the bilateral work agreement on the gainful employment of spouses of embassy and consulate officials which provides benefits for diplomatic families of both sides as well as the host country.

Economic and Trade Cooperation

Prime Minister Najib and President Obama celebrated the strong economic links between Malaysia and the United States, including bilateral trade amounting to U.S. $40 billion annually.  Prime Minister Najib and President Obama applauded the progress made so far in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations.  They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to resolve the remaining issues and conclude the high-standard agreement as soon as possible so that both countries’ businesses, workers, farmers, and consumers could begin benefitting.   Both leaders also discussed the importance of enhancing multilateral cooperation to promote trade, investment and inclusive growth in fora such as ASEAN, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Noting that the United States was the largest source of foreign investment in Malaysia in 2013, the Prime Minister acknowledged the beneficial and significant role of U.S. investors in the development of Malaysia’s economy. This close cooperation has resulted in support for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) through linkages between U.S. companies and Malaysian SMEs, sharing technology, promoting innovation and contributing to Malaysia’s economic transformation agenda.

The President similarly highlighted the United States’ openness to foreign investment, and noted the mutually beneficial nature of Malaysian investment in the United States.  The President encouraged Malaysian participation in SelectUSA, a U.S. Government initiative to promote and facilitate inbound business investment and a key partner and support system for potential Malaysian investors, including SMEs, seeking investment opportunities in the United States.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of a strong intellectual property rights regime, to promote innovation and for the mutual benefit of innovators and consumers. Such a regime has already helped support investments in new growth areas including in emerging and high technology sectors as well as high value-added, knowledge-based and skills-intensive industries which should generate more high income job opportunities in both countries and support Malaysia’s aspiration to become a developed nation by the year 2020. The two leaders expressed confidence that the ongoing economic reforms in Malaysia and the economic recovery of the United States would accelerate economic growth, opening greater opportunities for trade and creating employment in both countries.

Education and People-to-People

Recognizing people-to-people relations as the foundation of strong bilateral ties, the two leaders affirmed their shared intention to foster better understanding, goodwill and friendship between the peoples of both countries.

Reflecting the Prime Minister and President Obama’s shared aspiration to enhance people-to-people interaction first discussed in 2010, the two leaders celebrated the success of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program.  Likening the spirit of the Fulbright ETA program to the Peace Corps program, which ran for two decades in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib and President Obama announced that the governments of Malaysia and the United States have extended the Fulbright ETA Program for another three years.

The two leaders applauded the network of eight Lincoln Corners in six different Malaysian states and Kuala Lumpur that host hundreds of educational programs and promote connections between Malaysia and the United States. Both leaders also recognized the value of sharing the rich cultural heritages of our two countries through exchanges of displays in art galleries and museums in both countries.

The Prime Minister and President Obama welcomed the establishment of the Malaysia-America Foundation and the exploring of opportunities to establish sister city relationships between the two sides.

Prime Minister Najib and President Obama acknowledged that university level linkages between the United States and Malaysia continue to grow. Both sides encouraged the expansion of research and study partnerships between U.S. and Malaysian institutions of higher education.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of youth empowerment, particularly in promoting entrepreneurship, environmental protection, education, and civic participation in Malaysia and across the region, including through such programs as the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) and activities under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

Defense and Security

President Obama welcomed Malaysia’s commitment to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction with the endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Statement of Interdiction Principles.

The two leaders reaffirmed the longstanding military-to-military cooperation between Malaysia and the United States which provides a solid foundation for enhancements across a broad front. Both leaders acknowledged the value of continuous dialogue on regional and global security challenges as well as coordination on military matters through the Malaysia – U.S. Strategic Talks (MUSST) and the Bilateral Training and Consultative Group (BiTACG).

Prime Minister Najib and President Obama decided to continue discussions on opportunities for practical future cooperation in the maritime domain, including ways the United States could support the development of Malaysia’s maritime enforcement capacity through the provision of training, equipment and expertise.

President Obama applauded Malaysia’s troop contributions to peacekeeping in United Nations missions, including in Afghanistan and Lebanon and thanked Malaysia for its successful deployment of a military medical team in Afghanistan.  Both sides committed to strengthen cooperation in peacekeeping training under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) and welcomed U.S. support for the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Centre.

The two leaders welcomed the expansion of ties between the defense industries of Malaysia and the United States, which contribute to Malaysia’s economic development. Both sides committed to work further to nurture and deepen defence bilateral engagements, including promoting the interoperability between the two armed forces.

Malaysia and the United States noted with satisfaction the progress in various ongoing scientific sectors, including cooperation to raise awareness and capacity in biosecurity laboratories and research facilities in Malaysia dealing with biological threats.   These activities reflect a shared commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda, which seeks to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from threats posed by infectious disease.

Prime Minister Najib and President Obama expressed a firm commitment towards enhancing cooperation between their two countries in trade and investment.  Among the areas of interest are customs administrative matters and to this end would therefore encourage officials engaged in the negotiations to expedite the early conclusion of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement. The two leaders are also committed to work toward finalizing the memorandum of understanding on immigration information exchange.

 

Prime Minister Najib and President Obama also decided to consult on Malaysia’s interest in meeting the statutory requirements for participation in the Visa Waiver Program.  As a first step, the United States has committed to provide technical briefings on security requirements and information sharing agreements this year.

Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding on Transnational Crime signed by both sides in 2012, the two leaders look forward to convening the inaugural Joint Working Group Meeting to review the efficiency and effectiveness of our law enforcement cooperation.

The two leaders decided that Malaysia and the United States would strengthen cooperation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and management, including exploring capacity building initiatives to increase preparedness in handling natural and man-made disasters.

Environment, Science and Technology, and Energy Cooperation

The Prime Minister and President Obama welcomed the active cooperation between Malaysia and the United States in science and technology following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Science and Technology Cooperation in 2010. Pursuant to the MOU, the leaders noted the establishment of focus areas on biotechnology, marine science, climate studies, conservation science and management under the Joint Committee of Science and Technology.

The Prime Minister highlighted to President Obama the initiatives under the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC), a joint New York Academy of Sciences and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) forum with a mandate to develop science, technology and innovation strategies to achieve Malaysia’s vision 2020.

Malaysia recognized the U.S. Government’s tremendous role as an important partner of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI). The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation to President Obama for United States’ contributions of more than U.S $60 million in technical and financial assistance and capacity building programs to CTI member countries.

Noting the shared visions of the two countries to develop a stronger bio-based economy to ensure sustainable growth, both leaders recognized expanded private sector research collaboration and cooperation in biotechnology.

The Prime Minister sought the United States’ support to build Malaysian knowledge and expertise to develop green technology and thanked President Obama for U.S. assistance in creating Malaysia’s newly announced green technology development strategy and clean energy cooperation to date under the U.S. Asia Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership.

The Prime Minister and President Obama reiterated a common commitment to the conservation of biodiversity and agreed to strengthen cooperation in addressing illegal wildlife trade.

Conclusion

Looking ahead, both leaders pledged their commitment to elevate the Malaysia – U.S. bilateral cooperation to a Comprehensive Partnership that would cover wide-ranging areas for the expansion of trade and investment, security and defense, education, science and technology, energy, and people-to-people relations, for the collective benefit of both countries.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary

The Vice President spoke this morning with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.  The Vice President congratulated Hungary on its 15-year anniversary in NATO and noted the United States’ steadfast commitment to the Alliance's collective defense under Article 5.  The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine and agreed that Russia would face further costs for supporting the actions of armed separatists in Ukraine, in direct contravention of the April 17 Geneva Joint Statement.  The Vice President and Prime Minister discussed the need to strengthen the energy security of the Euro-Atlantic community with a more coordinated and strategic approach.  The Vice President also reiterated the view that the United States and its partners should be prepared to impose sanctions on individuals and entities operating in certain sectors of the Russian economy if Moscow further intervenes militarily in Ukraine.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka of the Czech Republic

Vice President Biden spoke this morning with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.  The Vice President underscored the ironclad commitment of the United States to the collective defense of NATO under Article 5.  The two leaders discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine and agreed that the Ukrainian government had taken significant steps to implement the April 17 Geneva Joint Statement by continuing its outreach to citizens in eastern Ukraine on constitutional reform, proposing an amnesty for those protestors who agreed to lay down their arms and vacate occupied buildings, and working closely with the OSCE to promote dialogue with pro-Russian separatists.  The leaders also took note of the fact that Russia had thus far failed to fulfill any of the commitments it made in Geneva.  The Vice President and the Prime Minister agreed that Russia would face further costs for its destabilizing actions in Ukraine and massing of troops along the Russian-Ukrainian border.  The Vice President also stressed that if Moscow further intervened militarily in Ukraine, the United States and its partners should be prepared to impose sanctions on individuals and entities operating in certain sectors of the Russian economy.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

G-7 Leaders Statement on Ukraine

We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, join in expressing our deep concern at the continued efforts by separatists backed by Russia to destabilize eastern Ukraine and our commitment to taking further steps to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for the May 25 presidential election.

We welcomed the positive steps taken by Ukraine to meet its commitments under the Geneva accord of April 17 by Ukraine, Russia, the European Union, and the United States. These actions include working towards constitutional reform and decentralization, proposing an amnesty law for those who will peacefully leave the buildings they have seized in eastern Ukraine, and supporting the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  We also note that the Government of Ukraine has acted with restraint in dealing with the armed bands illegally occupying government buildings and forming illegal checkpoints.

In contrast, Russia has taken no concrete actions in support of the Geneva accord.  It has not publicly supported the accord, nor condemned the acts of pro-separatists seeking to destabilize Ukraine, nor called on armed militants to leave peacefully the government buildings they've occupied and put down their arms.  Instead, it has continued to escalate tensions by increasingly concerning rhetoric and ongoing threatening military maneuvers on Ukraine's border.

We reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea and Sevastopol, which we do not recognize.  We will now follow through on the full legal and practical consequences of this illegal annexation, including but not limited to the economic, trade and financial areas.

We have now agreed that we will move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia.  Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine's presidential elections, we have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia's actions.

Russia's actions in Ukraine and the response from the international community already have imposed significant costs on its economy.  While we continue to prepare to move to broader, coordinated sanctions, including sectoral measures should circumstances warrant, as we committed to in The Hague on March 24, we underscore that the door remains open to a diplomatic resolution of this crisis, on the basis of the Geneva accord.  We urge Russia to join us in committing to that path.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

President Obama Attends Roundtable With Korean Business Executives To Encourage Investment In United States

Today, President Barack Obama reaffirmed the commitment of the United States of America toward strengthening the economic relationship with the Republic of Korea and boosting investment, jobs and growth in the United States. During a roundtable discussion hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (“AMCHAM Korea”) and senior Korean business executives, President Obama spoke of the importance of the U.S. - Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in strengthening bilateral trade ties. The President also made the case for additional investment in the United States, which will lead to high-quality, well-paying jobs for American workers. The business executives discussed why their companies chose to make significant investments in the United States and what might encourage them to invest more.  The Korean executives emphasized the attractiveness of the U.S. market as an investment destination for their companies, focusing on the skill sets that American workers have to offer.

SelectUSA and Korean Investment in the United States

The roundtable highlighted the SelectUSA initiative, which is one part of the Administration’s all-hands effort to spur more job-creating U.S. investment from around the world.  In 2011, President Obama launched SelectUSA, the first ever federal effort to partner with states and cities to promote inbound investment.  It also includes a deliberative effort to enhance coordination of federal agencies to cut red tape and support companies considering investments that create more American jobs.

The Korean executives praised the United States as one of the most open economies in the world for investment, offering strong rule of law, access to high-skilled labor, a tradition of research and development excellence, and abundant natural resources.  These facts have attracted Korean direct investment in United States, which has grown by nearly 75 percent since 2008 to a current total of $24.3 billion. 

Many of the companies represented at the roundtable have made recent investments in the United States, some of which have been supported by the President’s SelectUSA initiative.  Recent U.S. investments include:

  • In October 2013, Hanook Tire America, the U.S.-based subsidiary of South Korea-based tire manufacturer Hanook Tire Worldwide, announced an $800 million investment in its first U.S. production plant in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Tire production is expected to start in 2016.

  • In August 2012, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, owned by Samsung Electronics, announced its plans for a $4 billion expansion of its semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas.  Samsung's latest investment marks the largest single foreign investment ever made in the state of Texas.  The company's total investment in Samsung Austin Semiconductor since 1996 now exceeds $13 billion.

U.S. - Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA)

During the roundtable, President Obama and the Korean executives praised the role the KORUS FTA has played in strengthening bilateral economic ties.  The KORUS FTA is the most commercially significant free trade agreement the United States has concluded in almost two decades, and its impact has been immediate.  Since the KORUS FTA came into force in early 2012, two-way U.S.-Korea trade has increased and the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that, when fully implemented, the reduction of Korean tariffs and tariff-rate quotas on goods alone will add $10 billion to $12 billion to annual U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

President Obama described the successful implementation of the KORUS FTA as critical to the U.S.-Korea economic relationship and a means to achieve President Park’s vision of a Korean economy that is business-friendly, with smarter regulation and stronger policies to promote innovation.  The KORUS FTA is the highest standard free trade agreement that either country has ever concluded to date and exemplifies the benefits of open markets.

In addition to the President, the AMCHAM Korea-hosted meeting attendees included:

  • James Kim, Chairman, AMCHAM Korea
    Country Manager, Microsoft Korea
  • Amy Jackson, President, AMCHAM Korea
  • Pat Gaines, President, Boeing Korea
  • David Ruch, Country Manager, United Airlines
  • Jae Jung, President, Ford Korea
  • John Kim, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Korea
  • Han Duck-Soo, Chairman, Korea International Trade Association (KITA)
  • Huh Chang-Soo, Chairman, Federation of Korean Industries
    Chairman, GS Group
  • Park Yong-Maan, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
    Chairman and CEO, Doosan Corporation
  • Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung
  • Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman, Samsung Electronics
  • Chung Mong-koo, Chairman, Hyundai Motor
  • Cho Yang-rai, Chairman, Hankook Tire Company
  • Cho Yangho, Chairman and CEO, Korean Air Lines
    Chairman and CEO, Hanjin Group
  • Shin Dong-Bin, Chairman, Lotte Group
  • Bon Moo Koo, Chairman, LG Group
  • Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative
  • Caroline Atkinson, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics
  • Wendy Cutler, Acting Deputy United States Trade Representative
  • Sung Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
  • Ahn Ho-Young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Emir of Qatar

 

Vice President Biden spoke this morning with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.  The Vice President and Emir consulted on regional issues, including the conflict in Syria.  Both leaders reaffirmed the important and enduring strategic and economic relationship between Qatar and the United States.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with President Hollande, Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Renzi, and Prime Minister Cameron

Today the President spoke with President Hollande of France, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Renzi of Italy, and Prime Minister Cameron of the UK to consult about the alarming situation in eastern Ukraine.  The leaders noted the positive steps that Ukraine had taken to move forward on the actions to which it committed in the April 17 joint statement by Ukraine, Russia, the European Union, and the United States – including proposing an amnesty law for those who will peacefully leave the buildings they have seized in eastern Ukraine, supporting the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and committing themselves once again to a process of constitutional reform and decentralization.  The leaders also agreed that Russia had not reciprocated – including by not publicly supporting the Geneva accord, nor calling on armed militant groups to lay down their arms and leave the government buildings they’ve occupied – and had in fact continued to escalate the situation through its increasingly concerning rhetoric and threatening military exercises on Ukraine’s border.
 
The President noted that the United States is prepared to impose targeted sanctions to respond to Russia's latest actions. The leaders agreed to work closely together, and through the G7 and European Union, to coordinate additional steps to impose costs on Russia. The leaders underscored that Russia could still choose a peaceful resolution to the crisis, including by implementing the Geneva accord. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

FACT SHEET: Taking Action to Improve Teacher Preparation

Providing all children in America with the opportunity to get a world-class education is critical for their success and the success of our nation, and there is no more important factor in successful schools than having a great teacher in every classroom. President Obama believes that we need to give schools the resources to keep good teachers on the job and reward the best ones, and give teachers the flexibility to teach with creativity and passion. But far too many teachers report they are unprepared when they first enter the classroom after completing their teacher preparation program. Today – continuing to use the power of his phone and his pen to make 2014 a year of action – President Obama is directing the Department of Education to move forward on a plan to strengthen America’s teacher preparation programs.

Recruiting, preparing, developing and supporting great teachers has a direct impact on the learning and success of America’s students. Research confirms that the most important factor in a student’s success in school is a strong teacher, and excellent teachers are especially important for our neediest students.[1] School districts, principals, parents and children depend on great teachers to provide a world-class education.

However, the vast majority of new teachers – almost two-thirds – report that their teacher preparation program left them unprepared for the realities of the classroom. Moreover, for decades, institutions that prepare teachers have had lacked the feedback needed to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and had little information on where program graduates go to teach, how long they stay, and how they perform in the classroom. Existing federal regulations on teacher preparation focus on information that is not sufficiently meaningful to preparation programs, potential teachers or potential employers.

Today, President Obama directed the U.S. Department of Education to lay out a plan to strengthen America’s teacher preparation programs for public discussion by this summer, and to move forward on schedule to publish a final rule within the next year. The Administration will encourage and support states in developing systems that recognize excellence and provide all programs with information to help them improve, while holding them accountable for how well they prepare teachers to succeed in today’s classrooms and throughout their careers.

The Obama Administration will put forth a proposal this summer to support the pipeline of future teachers by strengthening teacher preparation programs, and will seek additional input on this plan through a public comment process. The Administration’s plans will:

  • Build on state systems and efforts and the progress in the field to encourage all states to develop their own meaningful systems to identify high- and low-performing teacher preparation programs across all kinds of programs, not just those based in colleges and universities.
  • Ask states to move away from current input-focused reporting requirements, streamline the current data requirements, incorporate more meaningful outcomes, and improve the availability of relevant information on teacher preparation. 
  • Rely on state-developed program ratings of preparation programs – in part – to determine program eligibility for TEACH grants, which are available to students who are planning to become teachers in a high-need field in a low-income school, to ensure that these limited federal dollars support high-quality teacher education and preparation. 

These critical changes will help to increase recognition for high-performing teacher preparation programs, and create a much-needed feedback loop to provide information to prospective teachers, schools and districts, and the general public, and drive improvement across programs. They will help to improve systems-level accountability for supporting the high-quality instruction all students deserve. Moreover, strengthened preparation and support will help to make teaching an increasingly desirable and rewarding career.

Educators and leaders across the country are exploring new and innovative efforts to make teacher preparation more hands-on, relevant, and effective, including examples such as:

  • The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which has produced a commitment across hundreds of providers to establish bold new standards for accrediting teacher preparation programs that will encourage higher entry and exit requirements for candidates, and will make use of data about new teachers’ employment, retention and student learning outcomes.
  • Five states, Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, Louisiana and Florida, currently report information about teacher preparation programs and their graduates back to the programs as well as to potential teachers and the public. Several more states have announced plans to create their own versions of these reports.
  • Arizona State University and Urban Teacher Residencies are enriching the clinical experiences they provide, so their teacher candidates can learn in real schools with the help of master teachers. Additionally, these programs use the same teaching standards in preparation that teachers will use on the job later. There are signs this real-world experience helps teacher stay in the classroom – 85% of Urban Teacher Residencies graduates remain in the classroom after three years, compared to the 50 percent national average.
  • UTeach at the University of Texas at Austin are drawing more undergraduates with STEM majors into teaching. Ninety 90% of UTeach graduates enter teaching and of those, roughly 80 percent are retained after 5 years, and about half of UTeach graduates are in high-need schools. Recent replications of the UTeach model have meant that the annual number of UTeach candidates has grown from 519 in 2008 to nearly 7,000 in 2014, expanding the supply of teachers prepared to teach STEM subjects.
  • Relay Graduate School of Education, founded by three charter management organizations, measures and holds itself accountable for both program graduate and employer satisfaction, and requires that teachers meet high goals for student learning growth before they can complete their degrees. There is promise that this approach translates into classroom results as K-12 students of Relay teachers grew 1.3 years in reading performance in one year.
  • Fayetteville State University in North Carolina incorporates the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction competencies and standards as well as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards into its curriculum for master’s degree students in their School of Education. Of their recent graduates, 87 percent of new teachers met or exceeded expectations for student learning growth, compared to the 75 percent state average.

Building on Success: This initiative around teacher preparation is the newest component of the Administration’s work to ensure that teachers and leaders have the support they need from preparation and through their careers, and that all students have access to great teachers and leaders.

  • The Administration’s proposed ConnectEDucators program in the President’s FY15 budget request supports teachers’ efforts to learn how to make the best use of technology and digital learning materials in their classrooms.
  • The Administration’s RESPECT proposal seeks to elevate the education profession through improved preparation and early career support, teacher leadership and development opportunities, and improved work environments. Recently, the Department of Education announced Teach to Lead, a new initiative to ensure that teachers have the opportunity to play a critical role in the decisions that impact their classrooms and their students without leaving the classroom.
  • Through programs like Teacher Incentive Fund, Investing in Innovation (i3), and the Race to the Top, the Department of Education is assisting states and school districts across the country to find innovative new ways to develop, support, and retain the educators they need for the future.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2014

Joint Fact Sheet: The United States-Republic of Korea Alliance: A Global Partnership

 

On the occasion of President Obama’s visit to the Republic of Korea, the United States-Republic of Korea Alliance is stronger and deeper than ever.  Originally forged in the shared sacrifice of our peoples 61 years ago, our Alliance today is the linchpin of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and an increasingly comprehensive global partnership.  Our two nations enjoy strong and longstanding security, economic, and people-to-people ties, and our shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are the foundation of our relationship.  From strengthening the nonproliferation regime to climate change, we are committed to deepening our cooperation on global challenges, and continue to work together to advance prosperity and security in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. 

The United States and Republic of Korea remain fully committed to continuing our close cooperation on the full range of issues related to North Korea toward our common goal, which is shared by the international community, of the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea in a peaceful manner.  Our two countries reaffirm the UN Security Council’s unanimous condemnation of the DPRK’s recent ballistic missile launches as clear violations of UN Security Council resolutions 1718, 1874, 2087, and 2094.  We strongly urge the DPRK to refrain from additional provocations in further violation of its international obligations and commitments.  We are also committed to working with the international community to ensure the full and transparent implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, and we urge the DPRK to refrain from further threatening actions.  The United States supports President Park's vision of a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, free from the fear of war, and peacefully reunified on the basis of democratic and free-market principles, as articulated in her Dresden address.

We are dedicated to working together with our allies and partners in the international community to focus international attention on and improve the deplorable human rights situation in North Korea and to hold the DPRK accountable for its systematic and ongoing violations of the human rights of its people.

A Strong, Capable Alliance

The United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) continue to build a comprehensive strategic Alliance of bilateral, regional, and global scope based on common values and mutual trust.  We are strengthening our combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula and enhancing cooperation for regional and global security in the 21st century.  As part of this effort to enhance our coordination, we plan to hold a foreign and defense ministers' (“2+2”) meeting in 2014.  The U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea’s security remains unwavering.

The United States and Republic of Korea have decided that due to the evolving security environment in the region, including the enduring North Korean nuclear and missile threat, the current timeline for the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to a Republic of Korea-led defense in 2015 can be reconsidered.  Both the United States and Republic of Korea continue to develop interoperability and readiness through the use of annual joint and combined exercises such as Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Key Resolve, and Foal Eagle.  The two sides are also working to ensure that the Republic of Korea is ready to lead the combined defense after OPCON transition takes place.  The leaders of both countries urged their teams to continue to work hard to determine appropriate timing and conditions.

As part of its commitment to strengthen Alliance capabilities, the Republic of Korea is continuing to procure major intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and weapons systems.  The Republic of Korea announced on March 24 that it intends to procure Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems, and announced its intent to procure F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.  Furthermore, the two governments exchanged views on strengthening cooperation regarding the anticipated U.S. Air Force T-X trainer replacement program.  The Republic of Korea is also developing its own interoperable ballistic missile defense systems and enhancing the interoperability of the Alliance’s command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems.  In order to respond to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, the United States and Republic of Korea recognize the importance of trilateral information sharing among the United States, Republic of Korea, and Japan in a way that contributes to a comprehensive and cooperative response against such threats.

The United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s ratification of a new five-year Special Measures Agreement, which establishes the framework for ROK contributions to offset the costs associated with the stationing of United States Forces Korea on the Korean Peninsula.  This agreement reflects our shared commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula and strengthens the U.S.-ROK Alliance’s capability to serve as the linchpin of regional peace and stability.

Following our work in the bilateral Extended Deterrence Policy Committee, our two countries endorsed a Tailored Deterrence Strategy in October 2013 to improve the effectiveness of extended deterrence against North Korean nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats.  Both countries signed the Counter Provocation Plan in March 2013 to enable us to respond immediately and decisively to any North Korean provocation.

Global Partnership for Peace and Security

The U.S.-ROK alliance is increasingly global in nature, and our countries are partners on a broad range of security, development, and economic initiatives around the world.  Our expanding cooperation benefits not only Northeast Asia, but also promotes peace and security for the international community. 

The United States and Republic of Korea are close partners on international efforts to resolve the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.  Our countries strongly support the P5+1 process and the P5+1-Iran Joint Plan of Action.  The United States appreciates the Republic of Korea’s assistance in implementing the Joint Plan of Action.

The United States and Republic of Korea continue to condemn the Syrian regime’s indiscriminate and continuing use of violence against civilians.  Both countries are committed to addressing the significant humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, and the United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s contributions to the international community’s humanitarian assistance efforts.  We are close partners in supporting the UN-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Joint Mission and remain committed to ensuring the complete elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons.  Our two countries strongly support the goal of the complete elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles around the world, and urge those countries that have not acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention, including North Korea, to do so as soon as possible.

In Afghanistan, where American and Korean troops have served side by side, the Republic of Korea continues to provide generous assistance toward reconstruction and stabilization. 

The United States and Republic of Korea cooperate closely on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.  The United States welcomed the Republic of Korea's co-hosting of the 3rd ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief Exercise with Thailand in May 2013.

Our two countries continue to collaborate on a wide range of nonproliferation and counter-proliferation issues, including nuclear security, nuclear safeguards, combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technologies, and preventing nuclear terrorism.  The United States and Republic of Korea have long partnered to ensure that nuclear materials cannot be sold or stolen and then used for nuclear weapons. 

The United States and Republic of Korea are partners in the global counter-piracy effort.  Both countries have contributed naval assets to protect the safety of civilian maritime trade and are active leaders in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. 

The United States convened the first Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC in 2010, and the Republic of Korea hosted the second Summit in Seoul in 2012.  At this year’s Summit in The Hague, the three Summit hosts sponsored a joint statement on Strengthening Nuclear Security Implementation, issued by 35 countries, who committed to take certain actions to improve the effectiveness of their nuclear security systems and contribute to the continuous improvement of nuclear security.  In addition, the United States and Republic of Korea, along with three other countries, announced they are collaborating to develop new high-density low-enriched uranium fuels as part of an effort to minimize the amount of highly-enriched uranium in civilian use.  Our two countries are closely cooperating to promote the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), including through joint efforts to lead a Security Council open debate in May 2014, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the resolution.

The United States and Republic of Korea are also close partners on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, a multilateral partnership that strengthens our global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism.  We also collaborate in the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, an initiative to prevent terrorists or states that support them from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction.

Climate Change and Energy Cooperation

The United States and Republic of Korea share the view that climate change represents a threat to the security and economic development of all nations, and we are committed to taking ambitious action together.  The Republic of Korea hosts the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and we cooperate in the Major Economies Forum and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.  Both countries intend to continue to make efforts toward the successful operationalization of the GCF.  As part of our regular consultations on this issue, the Department of State’s Special Envoy for Climate Change hosted his ROK counterpart for a bilateral dialogue on climate change in January 2014.  The United States and Republic of Korea reaffirm their commitment on using expertise and the institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as set out in the G-20 St. Petersburg Leader’s Communique.

Our countries also collaborate closely on climate change science and clean energy research.  The Republic of Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy plans to host a Clean Energy Policy Dialogue with the U.S. Department of Energy in June to discuss cooperation on clean energy technology research and development, including microgrids, energy storage, and fuel cells.  The United States and Republic of Korea continue to discuss possibilities for promoting information sharing regarding shale gas.

In May, the Republic of Korea is hosting and the U.S. Secretary of Energy plans to attend the 5th Clean Energy Ministerial, a high-level global forum to share best practices and promote policies and programs that encourage and facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy.

Advancing International Development

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April 2014 that highlights our strengthened collaboration on maternal and child health in Ghana and Ethiopia, our cooperation on developing the energy sector in Ghana in support of the Power Africa Initiative, our cooperation on climate change in Vietnam, and our partnership on innovative approaches such as Grand Challenges for Development and public-private partnerships.

Additionally, USAID, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is providing nearly $270,000 to strengthen the ROK’s disaster response capacity by supporting civil society partners in the areas of assessments, contingency planning, and application of humanitarian standards in disaster response.  This partnership is expected to enhance the capacity of national-level disaster and emergency first responders.  Our two countries have already seen benefits from this collaboration, particularly during our coordinated response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Partnering for Prosperity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

The United States and Republic of Korea marked the second anniversary of the entry into force of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) on March 15, 2014.  Now in its third year, this landmark agreement continues to provide tangible benefits for consumers, businesses, workers, and farmers in both countries.  The United States and Republic of Korea have reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen our efforts to fully implement the KORUS FTA to ensure that the economic benefits of the agreement are realized for both sides. 

The KORUS FTA has provided a strong foundation for increased foreign direct investment in the United States by Korean companies.  In October 2013, Hankook Tire Co. announced it would build its first manufacturing plant in Tennessee, investing $800 million and creating 1,800 jobs in the process.  Hyundai, Samsung, Kia, LG, SK, and Hanjin Shipping also have made major investments in the United States in recent years.  In 2012 and 2013, the United States had a $4.4 billion surplus in foreign direct investment flows with the Republic of Korea.  The Republic of Korea also welcomes the recent investments made by U.S. companies such as GE, Boeing, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and is hopeful that the KORUS FTA will expand opportunities for more investments by U.S. companies.

The United States reaffirmed that it welcomes the Republic of Korea’s interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and its commitment to continue to consult closely with the Republic of Korea on meeting the high standards of the TPP and to address specific issues of concern.

The United States and Republic of Korea share the view that creativity and ingenuity are keys to enhancing our shared prosperity and building sustainable economic growth.  During the first U.S.-ROK Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy Forum in November 2013, both sides decided to pursue collaboration on ICT policy that promotes innovation and fosters the global and open nature of the Internet.  The United States and Republic of Korea look forward to further cooperation on innovation and entrepreneurship in the second round of the U.S.-ROK ICT Policy Forum in Seoul in the second half of 2014.

The United States and Republic of Korea also work closely together to monitor global financial conditions and to strengthen cooperation, including through the G-20, on policies that strengthen financial stability and promote strong, sustainable, and balanced growth.

On March 26, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) added the Republic of Korea to the list of countries eligible to export poultry products to the United States.  FSIS determined that the Republic of Korea’s poultry laws, regulations, and inspection system, as implemented, met U.S. standards.  This decision allows U.S. consumers to enjoy products such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) imported from the ROK.

Collaboration on Science, Technology, Cyber, and Health Issues

The United States and Republic of Korea have had a strong partnership in the field of peaceful nuclear cooperation for more than a half century, and the United States is pleased that the Republic of Korea has become one of the world’s leading nations in the development of peaceful nuclear technology.  To advance this collaboration, the United States and Republic of Korea are negotiating a successor nuclear cooperation agreement that is intended to reflect the Republic of Korea’s status as a major global nuclear supplier and the great importance both governments place on maintaining high standards of nuclear safety and security upon which we are continuously improving, as well as a strong commitment to nonproliferation.  Our two countries are confident that a new agreement can greatly advance our bilateral cooperation and address the Republic of Korea’s civil nuclear energy priorities of assured fuel supply, used fuel management, and competitiveness in the global nuclear energy market. 

The United States and Republic of Korea enjoy longstanding cooperation in science and technology, reflecting the two nations’ mutual recognition that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, scientific research, and technology development are essential to economic prosperity, enhanced public health, environmental sustainability, and national security.  We look forward to holding the next Joint Commission for Science and Technology Cooperation May 19-20 in Washington to expand collaboration on a wide range of science, technology, and health issues.  We plan to revise the U.S.-ROK Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement to enhance the valuable exchange of science and technology ideas, information, skills, and techniques between our two countries. 

U.S.-ROK cooperation on cyber issues continues to expand, and the United States welcomed Seoul’s hosting of the October 2013 Seoul Conference on Cyberspace.  In 2013, the United States and Republic of Korea continued our efforts to enhance cybersecurity through increased cooperation between our computer security incident response teams as well as the creation of a cyber cooperation working group between our militaries.  The United States and Republic of Korea plan to hold the third round of the U.S.-ROK Cyber Dialogue in the summer of 2014, and will continue to promote a common vision of an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable cyberspace.   

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Republic of Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare continue to work cooperatively to improve the health of Republic of Korea and U.S. citizens, particularly through our research collaboration in basic science and public health, and our cooperation on public health emergency preparedness and response.  The United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s support for the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda, which seeks to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats and to promote global health security as an international security priority. 

As a part of this cooperation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response have hosted Republic of Korea public health emergency preparedness and response fellows.  In 2013, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute created a joint fellowship program and offered 16 Korean post-doctoral researchers two-year stipends for research at NIH.  The United States and Republic of Korea also continue to partner on areas such as biosecurity, biosurveillance, and biodefense through the annual interagency Able Response exercise.

Enduring Ties Between Our Peoples

Our people-to-people ties with the Republic of Korea are broad and deep.  Over 1.7 million U.S. citizens are of Korean descent, including U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Sung Kim, and Republic of Korea citizens are the ninth-largest nationality of visitors to the United States.  The Republic of Korea sends over 70,000 students annually – more students per capita than any other major country – while the number of U.S. citizens studying in the Republic of Korea continues to grow. 

Recognizing the importance both countries place on protecting cultural heritage, the United States is pleased to return to the Republic of Korea 9 cultural artifacts, including one national seal of the Korean Empire.  The repatriation of the nine artifacts was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in close cooperation with the Republic of Korea Cultural Heritage Administration.

On October 29, 2013, our two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding renewing the Work, English Study, Travel (WEST) program, which allows Korean university students and recent graduates to study English, work as interns, and travel in the United States.  Over 2,000 Korean youth have participated in the program since its inception.  Since 2011, the WEST program also has given North Korea-born youth now living in the Republic of Korea the opportunity to improve their English language ability and gain business skills and international experience, to help them to serve as a bridge between the United States and the North Korean community.

Since 1950, the Fulbright program has fostered mutual understanding between the United States and Republic of Korea, and since 1992 over 1,100 U.S.-citizen college graduates have spent a year or more as teachers in rural regions of the Republic of Korea as part of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.  Including Fulbright program alumni, there are nearly 6,000 U.S. government exchange program alumni in the Republic of Korea.

Recognizing that expanding economic opportunities for women and ensuring their full participation in the workforce is a challenge shared by both countries, the United States is pleased to announce its intent to invite five Republic of Korea participants to attend the White House Summit on Working Families, which President Obama plans to host on June 23, 2014.  The Summit aims to bring together businesses, economists, labor leaders, policymakers, advocates, and ordinary citizens to discuss how we can create a 21st century workplace that meets the needs of a 21st century workforce.  Following the Summit, the participants plan to meet with policymakers and businesspeople to discuss how to make workplaces better for families, with an eye towards improving women’s labor force participation. 

In 2014, six North Korea-born high school students participated in two separate Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs SportsUnited basketball programs in the United States.  Three boys and three girls who had escaped from North Korea and are now ROK citizens spent two weeks in the United States playing basketball and learning about nutrition, fitness, life skills, conflict resolution, and how sports help to build bridges of understanding. 

The United States is pleased to announce that White House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy Sam Kass plans to travel to the Republic of Korea in summer 2014 to share First Lady Michelle Obama’s work to help the United States raise a healthier generation of young people.  In addition to sharing his experience cooking at the White House for President Obama and foreign dignitaries, Chef Kass looks forward to learning about and sampling the rich diversity of Korean cuisine. 

 

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