The U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program strengthens U.S.-Korea diplomacy by equipping tomorrow’s leaders with global insights and fostering cross-cultural understanding through immersive exchange. The annual program is designed to broaden the perspectives of Korean and American young people on the legislative process, the history of U.S. - Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship.
The program was first created in 1981 by U.S. Representative Ben Gilman and his counterpart in the Republic of Korea National Assembly David Pong, and is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Republic of Korea National Assembly. The U.S. portion of the program is developed and implemented by Meridian International Center.
This joint exchange program combines professional meetings, briefings from government officials and private sector specialists, peer interaction, and cultural activities. Eight Korean university students and young adults and a group leader from the Republic of Korea National Assembly will participate in the U.S. program and an equivalent group from the U.S. will participate in the U.S. and Korea program.
The Korean and American delegations begin the program together with a week in Washington, DC. Afterwards, the American delegates will depart for Seoul, Republic of Korea, while the Korean delegates will remain in the U.S. for a site visit to another U.S. city. At the end of the program, the Korean delegation will return to Korea to reunite with their American counterparts in Seoul.
The U.S. delegation consists of 8 American students and young adults between the ages of 21 and 27, selected through a competitive application process. For additional information please check "Qualifications and Responsibilities”.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Unification of the Republic of Korea National Assembly nominates and selects the Korean students to travel to the U.S.
This is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Meridian International Center. Funding for the U.S. delegation includes domestic flights to and from the delegates’ hometowns, international flights to and from Korea, and hotels, meals, and local transportation while in Washington, DC.
The Republic of Korea National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Unification will cover all program costs for the U.S. delegation in Korea, including accommodations, meals, and local transportation to scheduled meetings and events, as well as entrance fees for planned cultural events, museums, musical performances, etc.
Other incidental expenses, such as gifts, souvenirs, movies, free time activities, and meals outside those included as part of the program are the responsibility of the individual participants.
The 2025 program will take place from July 20 – August 6, 2025 with U.S., delegation travel to Washington, DC and Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The application for the Summer 2025 program is now live!
Applications close on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
In addition to the application questions, you will be prompted to submit:
Participants in the program are required to meet the following requirements:
We encourage program alumni to remain engaged with Meridian and the U.S. Department of State so that you can be connected with wider networks to further your professional interests.
Important note: this program is not geared for U.S. applicants who have already had significant opportunities to travel or live in Korea. All American applicants must participate in the full duration of the Washington, DC and Korea program, including all meetings and cultural activities.
