The Korea Society

February 22, 2024 - Join us for a discussion on deterrence and North Korea with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins , United States Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Together in conversation with US Air Force Reserve Major Jessica Taylor and Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado , Ambassador Jenkins will discuss the US-ROK Alliance and the growing threats posed by Pyongyang's evolving nuclear, missile, and space capabilities as well as its proliferation and procurement activities, including its growing ties and trade with Russia.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1770-deterring-north-korea-a-conversation-with-ambassador-bonnie-jenkins

January 31, 2024 - Recent events have heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula—North Korea’s successful launch of a military satellite resulting in Seoul’s decision to partially suspend the inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), and followed by Pyongyang’s deployment of additional forces near its border with South Korea—increasing the chances of conflict on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's advancements in its nuclear weapons and missile programs, coupled with the diminishing enforcement of sanctions and renewed support from Russia, have sparked debates among the South Korean public and security experts about the possibility of Seoul pursuing an indigenous nuclear deterrent. Join us for a program co-hosted by The Korea Society and the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) on the future of Korean Peninsula security and suggestions for de-escalation and preventive diplomacy, featuring Professor Moon Chung-In , James Laney Professor at Yonsei University and Vice Chair for the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament. Following Professor Moon’s initial remarks, he will be joined by NCAFP director for Asia Susan A. Thornton and Director of the new Indo-Pacific Security Initiative of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Markus Garlauskas for a conversation moderated by Korea Society president & CEO Tom Byrne .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1764-rumbles-of-thunder-and-endangered-peace-on-the-korean-peninsula

January 30, 2024 - The author and translator of Cursed Bunny , a National Book Award and International Booker Prize Finalist, are back with a new collection of short stories.

A rising star of Korean literature, Bora Chung burst onto the American literary scene last year with the publication of her astounding debut, Cursed Bunny: Stories , translated by Anton Hur . Met with universal praise, these surreal, chilling fables that take on patriarchy, capitalism, and the reign of big tech were a National Book Award Finalist for Translated Literature and shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. Chung and Hur returns with her striking sophomore collection, Your Utopia: Stories .

Filled with Chung’s inimitable blend of horror, absurdity, and dark humor, and set in near and distant futures that reflect our deepest fears and desires, the stories in Your Utopia take place in different, off-kilter yet sometimes uncannily familiar settings. With Your Utopia , Chung hopes to provide readers with “a collection of stories that explore the limits of humanity to re-discover what it means to be human. Like all other works of science and speculative fiction, Your Utopia is ultimately about human beings: who we are and what we will be as the Anthropocene era reaches its peak and eventual demise.”

In this episode of Author Talks, Bora Chung is joined by Anton Hur to discuss her latest English publication.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1774-author-talks-bora-chung-anton-hur

January 24, 2024 - Join us for our inaugural program of Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow , featuring Saeju Jeong , the Co-Founder and former CEO, and now serving as Executive Chair of Noom. Noom, established in 2008 with Saeju’s friend, Artem Pekatov, introduced a pioneering weight loss app in 2017, integrating behavioral psychology with an empathetic human approach. Since then, Noom has disrupted the weight loss industry, achieving a valuation of $3.7 billion, and benefited over 50 million people with their health and diet.

Saeju’s unwavering, mission-driven leadership has been behind the remarkable success of Noom. As the visionary behind Noom, Saeju guided the company through the many strategic pivots that ultimately led to the discovery of Noom’s unique business model. We invite you to explore Saeju’s compelling entrepreneurial journey, marked with soulful tenacity toward a healthier-choice platform for consumers. This conversation took place on January 24 at 6:00 pm at the premise of The Korea Society.

This program is supported by Hanwha Life .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1751-saeju-jeong-an-unwavering-visionary-behind-noom

January 10, 2024 - With the ever-growing need to understand ourselves and humanity as a whole, it is necessary to examine the concepts of morality, ethics and universal values as guiding principles of the human condition. With generous support from Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation, The Korea Society is launching a new lecture and conversation series titled Series on Ethics and Common Values.

This series promotes the understanding of central themes of our human existence - morality, ethics, personal responsibility, compassion and civility - through a series of lectures by distinguished speakers and conversation with extraordinary individuals who exemplify the universal values in line with the mission of Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation and The Korea Society.

The Korea Society and Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation is proud to present Dr. Jim Yong Kim , who will deliver the inaugural lecture of the new series.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1767-y-t-hwang-family-foundation-series-on-ethics-common-values-inaugural-lecture-by-dr-jim-yong-kim

January 9, 2024 - Join us for a book talk with the Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy Scott Snyder . This new work provides an authoritative overview of the internal and external pressures on the U.S.–South Korea alliance and explores its future prospects. He argues that exclusive-nationalist leaders’ accession to power and domestic political polarization in the United States and South Korea could put past successes at risk and endanger the national security objectives of both countries. In the United States, “America First” nationalism favors self-interest over cooperation and portrays allies as burdens or even free riders. “Korea first” sentiments, in both progressive and conservative forms, present the U.S. military presence in South Korea as an obstacle to inter-Korean reconciliation or a shackle on South Korea’s freedom of action. Snyder also examines North Korea’s attempts to influence South Korean domestic politics and how China’s growing strength has affected the dynamics of the alliance. He considers scenarios in which the U.S.-South Korea relationship weakens or crumbles, emphasizing the consequences for the region and the world. Drawing on this analysis, Snyder offers timely recommendations for stakeholders in both countries on how to preserve and strengthen the alliance. The conversation is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado .

This program is produced in partnership between The Korea Society and The Council on Foreign Relations.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1759-the-u-s-south-korea-alliance-why-it-may-fail-and-why-it-must-not

Recorded January 4, 2024

Join us for a screening of the documentary film BEYOND UTOPIA, winner of the Audience Award for US Documentary Features at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. BEYOND UTOPIA is a suspenseful look at the lengths people will go to gain freedom. It follows various individuals as they attempt to flee North Korea, one of the most oppressive places on earth. At the film’s core are a mother desperate to reunite with the child she was forced to leave behind; a family of five - including small children and an elderly grandmother - embarking on a treacherous journey across the Yalu River and into the hostine mountains of China; and a man of God on a mission to help these desperate souls. Gripping, visceral, and urgent, Madeleine Gavin’s film embers the viewers with these family members as they attempt their perilous escape, palpably conveying life-or-death stakes. After the film, stay for a Q&A with Producers Sue Mi Terry and Rachel Cohen as well as human rights advocate and North Korean defector Seohyun Lee , moderated by policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre .

For more information, please visit the links below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1758-beyond-utopia-screening-and-q-a-with-executive-producer-sue-mi-terry

Beyond Utopia trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D-WVu35oPM

December 14, 2023 - How does the US public view America’s place in the world? How strong are the bonds between the US and Korea? Conversely, how does the Korean public view the United States as a partner and an ally? How are these views changing and what are the implications for global geopolitics, the US-Korea Alliance, and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula? The expert panel includes: Troy Stangarone , Senior Director and Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) and an author of KEI’s “2023 Report on American Attitudes Toward the Korean Peninsula ,” Dina Smeltz , Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and author of the survey report, “Americans Continue to See Benefits from US Alliances ,” and Dr. Woo Chang Kang , associate professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Korea University, who will explore the implications for Korea of these recent surveys, as well as the equivalent surveys in Korea. The conversation is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1747-is-sentiment-shifting-on-foreign-policy-alliances-and-the-us-korea-relationship

December 8, 2023 - The world is captivated by Korean culture. This fascination and popular interest, once focused on K-drama and K-pop, have now extended into fashion, food, fine art, classical and various genres of music. So much so that various institutions are pondering the question: what is the secret of Korea’s cultural success?

To answer this question, Korea’s Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation Sohn Jie-ae , a former CNN Seoul correspondent, explores the basic values and thoughts that lie behind the strength of Korea’s cultural wave in her conversation with Vivian Lee .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1754-the-korean-wave-where-did-it-come-from-and-where-is-it-going

2023 Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture

December 6, 2023 - The Korea Society is pleased to announce that the winner of the 7th Annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Competition is Dr. Munseob Lee , Assistant Professor at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Lee will address The Return of Industrial Policy: Lessons from Korea.

Industrial policy is making a comeback. Signs of government intervention in support of industry are visible not only in China, but in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Drawing lessons learned from Korea’s experience, Lee provides important insights for today’s policy-makers. A notable case to be discussed is the Korean government's implementation of the heavy and chemical industry drive in 1973. While that policy yielded positive outcomes for the targeted industries, it also resulted in a higher concentration within those sectors.

Lee emphasizes the intricate nature of industrial policy and stresses the need for a thorough evaluation of its costs and benefits before implementation, especially now given the current bipartisan support for substantial bills in the U.S. aimed at revitalizing industrial policy. As one reviewer stated, “At this critical time Lee revisits the effectiveness of Korean industrial policy during a high development phase to glean useful insights for Korea, U.S., and beyond.” The Lecture is moderated by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society.

The intent of the annual Sherman Family Lecture Award is to grow U.S. thought leadership on Korea for a new generation. The award is presented across disciplines and to emerging thought leaders, from doctoral candidates to junior professors and respective research or non-profit professionals. The award is made possible through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sherman and family.

For more information, please visit the link below:

https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1706-sherman-family-korea-emerging-scholar-lecture-2023

Recorded October 6, 2023

In October of 2023, the NCAFP ’s Forum on Asia-Pacific Security reconvened its 2021 and 2022 cohorts of Emerging Leaders in NYC for two days of conferences and meetings with think tanks and experts on Korean Peninsula and Asia-Pacific security issues. The NCAFP partnered with the Korea Society to record a roundtable discussion on North Korea policy. In this conversation moderated by NCAFP Emerging Leader (2021) and the Korea Society’s Policy Director, Jonathan Corrado , Shaquille James (U.S. Air Force, 2021), Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 2022), and Marialaura De Angelis (Track2Asia, 2022) discussed a new framing of the North Korean challenge, new approaches to engaging with North Korea, and transitional justice and contingency scenarios.

Recorded November 30, 2023

Kakao Mobility Corp, a mobility subsidiary of South Korea's tech giant Kakao Corp, is a one of a kind mobility platform company. It operates the Kakao T app, a super app that provides an all-in-one mobility experience, with an industry-defining and market-leading “No. 1” product portfolio comprised of taxi-hailing, designated driver, turn-by-turn navigation, smart parking, micro-mobility, flight/train/shuttle, as well as future mobility such as autonomous driving, robotics, HD Maps, and Urban Air Mobility.

On November 30th, our Young Professionals’ Network invites Dr. Christopher Chang (장성욱), the Senior Vice President of Kakao Mobility Corp, to discuss his significant contributions to mobility technology innovation. Join this conversation, moderated by Frank Bi , Director of Tools and Technology at The Star Tribune, to learn more about Dr. Chang’s fascinating personal journey to his current position and to hear his distinctive insights into Kakao Mobility’s business model.

This discussion will be held in-person at The Korea Society and will be followed by a brief networking session with the guest speaker. Light refreshments will be available for those in attendance.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1740-ypn-a-conversation-with-christopher-chang

Recorded November 2, 2023 - Join us to watch Chosen , a documentary that follows five Korean Americans of vastly diverse backgrounds with competing political views as they run for US Congress in 2020. David Kim is the only underdog with limited resources vying to be the first Korean American representative in Koreatown. Director Joseph Juhn joins for an intimate Q&A session after the film in conversation with policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre , providing opportunities for audience members to ask questions.

Video version including trailer available at the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZrELJtlLwM

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1717-chosen-film-screening-and-director-q-a

November 16, 2023 - The Korea Society welcomes Sang A Im , fashion designer and former South Korean actress/singer, to the Young Professionals’ Network for a conversation about her unique journey to success in the cutthroat New York City design world. At Genesis House, a beautiful modern oasis influenced by Korean culture, Sang A Im met with Vivian Lee , Emmy Award-winning TV Journalist & Correspondent at Asian American Life, for a discussion about leaving the Korean entertainment industry behind, starting a business in an unfamiliar country, becoming a self-made entrepreneur, the inspiration behind her designs, and more.

This program was recorded at Genesis House on Monday, October 16th in New York City, NY.

For the video version of this interview, please visit the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O1o_MaHcTU

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1744-beyond-boundaries-a-conversation-with-sang-a-im

November 13, 2023 - Acclaimed two-Michelin-starred chef Junghyun (JP) Park invites you to discover the delicious and joyful world of Korean cuisine known as Hansik. Together with Jungyoon Choi, globally renowned expert on Korean food, Chef Park presents an expansive and scholarly exploration of Korean cooking and proves that there is much more to celebrate about Korean fare than just barbecue. Following 10 years of in-depth research – and 20 years of friendship – Park and Choi have meticulously crafted the most comprehensive collection of Korean recipes in print today.

The Korean Cookbook published by Phaidon features more than 350 authentic recipes, originating from the high rises of Seoul to the volcanic beaches of Jeju Island. An incredible variety of deeply-researched dishes are carefully documented in this collection that spans 500 pages and includes 110 commissioned photographs shot in Korea by photographer Jinju Kang, an artist who works primarily on Hansik and Korean Art Cultures. Designed by Associate Studio, the book brings together the heritage of Korean paper making, Hanji, along with typographic structure melding together decorative window design with one of Korea’s most celebrated typographers Ahn Sang Soo. Richly illustrated and beautifully designed, The Korean Cookbook is the definitive culinary guide that captures the true essence of Hansik for readers around the world.

In this conversation at The Korea Society with Elyse Inamine , Chef Park speaks about his first book and career.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1742-the-korean-cookbook-with-chef-junghyun-park

November 9, 2023 - Join us for a program exploring the opportunities and limits for US-Korea-Japan trilateral cooperation. US President Joe Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a landmark trilateral summit at Camp David in August. This program aims to critically assess the progress made since then, with an emphasis on big picture strategic issues. How can the three countries tackle shared challenges and promote mutual security and prosperity? How well can they cooperate to manage relations with North Korea, China, Russia, Southeast Asia, and the wider global community? Are the new institutional pathways for cooperation initiated by the Camp David summit being implemented effectively? An expert panel, composed of specialists from each of the three nations, will investigate these questions and more in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. Panelists include: Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. Katrin Fraser Katz , Kangwon National University Professor Kuyoun Chung , Asia Society Policy Institute DC Office Director for Political-Security Affairs Emma Chanlett-Avery , and Keio University Professor Nishino Junya .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1721-new-horizons-for-us-korea-japan-trilateral-cooperation

November 8, 2023 - At the height of the military dictatorship in South Korea, Insuk and Sungho are arranged to be married. The couple soon moves to San Jose, California, with an infant and Sungho’s overbearing mother-in-law. Adrift in a new country, Insuk grieves the loss of her past and her divided homeland, finding herself drawn into an illicit relationship that sets into motion a dramatic saga and echoes for generations to come.

Extraordinarily beautiful and deeply moving, The Liberators by E. J. Koh is an elegantly wrought family saga of memory, trauma, and empathy, and a stunning testament to the consequences and fortunes of inheritance. From the Gwangju Massacre to the 1988 Olympics, flashbacks to Korean repatriation after Japanese surrender, and the Sewol ferry accident, Koh’s exquisitely drawn portraits and symphonic testimony from guards, prisoners, perpetrators, and liberators spans continents and four generations of two Korean families forever changed by fateful past decisions made in love and war.

In this conversation with Anton Hur , E. J. Koh discusses her debut novel.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1729-e-j-koh-the-liberators-with-anton-hur

November 7, 2023 - An “antic, madcap noir with flair" (Wired) and “fast-paced cyberpunk story” (The New York Times Book Review) from one of South Korea's most revered science fiction writers, whose identity remains unknown, Djuna's Counterweight is an absorbing tale of corporate intrigue, political unrest, unsolved mysteries, and the havoc wreaked by one company’s monomaniacal endeavor to build the world’s first space elevator.

Originally conceived by Djuna as a low-budget science fiction film, with literary references as wide-ranging as Joseph Conrad and the Marquis de Sade, Counterweight is part cyberpunk, part hard-boiled detective fiction, and part parable of South Korea’s neocolonial ambition and its rippling effects.

Djuna is a novelist and film critic, and a former chair of the Korean Science Fiction Writers Union. For more than twenty years they have published as a faceless writer, refusing to reveal personal details regarding age, gender, or legal name. Widely considered to be one of South Korea’s most important science fiction writers, Djuna has published ten short-story collections and five novels.

Anton Hur , the award winning translator of many Korean literature, discusses Djuna's writings and their impact in Korea, the genre of Korean science fiction, and literary translation from Korean to English in this conversation with Matthew Sciarappa .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1727-djuna-counterweight-with-translator-anton-hur

November 6, 2023 - Join us and explore with Prof. Mark Peterson the ideas advanced in his most recent book, Views of Korean History by a Frog Outside the Well . Written in a conversational style for the general public, in this book Dr. Peterson offers a unique take on Korean history that differs from the standard history taught in Korea since liberation from Japan. It is a point of view that his Korean audience appreciates for its radical departure from orthodox history and finds “refreshing,” “positive” and “uplifting.” In a recent article for the Korea Times , Dr. Peterson writes that he offers a new approach to facts already well known… but looks at in an entirely new way and a way that many young scholars are starting to look at as well. The discussion will be moderated by Linda Tobash , Senior Advisor for Education at the Society.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/education/item/1743-a-look-at-korea-as-a-frog-outside-the-well-an-outsider-s-perspective-on-korean-history

Recorded October 4, 2023

Signed on Oct. 1, 1953, in the wake of the armistice, the U.S.-South Korea alliance has matured into a dynamic partnership, deterring conflict and fostering cooperation with respect to trade, technology and people-to-people ties. This expert panel reflected on the legacy and future of the alliance.

This program was jointly hosted by The Korea Society, the Korea Defense Veterans Association and the Korea-Pacific Program at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.

About the Speakers:

Thomas J. Byrne joined The Korea Society as its President in August of 2015 following a distinguished career that included Senior Vice President of Moody's Investor Services and Senior Economist of the Asia Department at the Institute of International Finance. Byrne has an M.A. degree in International Relations with an emphasis on economics from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Before doing graduate work at SAIS, he served in South Korea for three years as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. His commentary on Korean affairs has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Financial Times among others.

Stephen Haggard is the Lawrence and Sallye Krause Distinguished Professor and director of the Korea-Pacific Program at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. He teaches courses on the international relations of the Asia-Pacific at GPS covering political economy as well as security issues. He has done extensive research on North Korea in particular. In addition, he has a long-standing interest in transitions to and from democratic rule and the current phenomenon of democratic backsliding. His recent research on South Korea addresses the issue of political polarization, including with respect to foreign policy.

Allison Hooker is a foreign policy and national security specialist with 20 years of experience in the U.S. Government working on Asia. She served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia, where she led the coordination and implementation of U.S. policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. Prior to that, Hooker served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Korean Peninsula, where she staffed the U.S.-DPRK Summits in Singapore, Hanoi, and the DMZ. Prior to her service at the White House, Hooker was a senior analyst for North Korea in the Department of State and staffed the Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program. She received a Masters’ of Arts Degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and has been a research fellow at Osaka University and Keio University, where she focused on Japan-Korea relations, and Japan-China relations, respectively.

Youngwan Kim is a career diplomat who joined the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Korea in 1993. He worked at various Ministries of the Korean Government, including Foreign Ministry, Unification Ministry, and Office for Government Policy Coordination, Prime Minister’s Office. Prior to his current post as Consul General in LA, he served as Director-General for National Security and Foreign Policy at the Prime Minister’s office. He also worked as Director-General for Planning and Management of the Foreign Ministry. His most recent foreign post was a Member of the Panel of Experts, UN Security Council Sanctions Committee at the United Nations headquarter. His foreign posts also include Washington D.C., New York, Beijing and Baghdad.

Munseob Lee is an economist who concentrates his research efforts on macroeconomics, growth and development, firm dynamics, and Korea. He has investigated the factors that determine the growth of firms, with a particular focus on how government purchases can promote long-term growth of small businesses. Additionally, he examined the disproportionate effect of inflation, revealing that low-income households and black families are the most affected by rising prices in the United States.

Lee, who is an Associate Director in GPS's Korea-Pacific Program, teaches courses including Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Macroeconomics of Development and The Korean Economy.

In 2019, General Curtis “Mike” Scaparrotti completed a distinguished 41-year career in the U.S. Army as the Commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO. Prior to that he served as the Commander of U.S. Forces Korea / United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command in Seoul from 2013 to 2016. Other prominent postings in his highly-decorated career include Director of the Joint Staff, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, the Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, the Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. Additionally, over the years, General Scaparrotti served in key leadership positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic level. He has commanded forces during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Support Hope (Zaire/Rwanda), Joint Endeavor (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and Assured Response (Liberia). General Scaparrotti holds a Master’s degree in Administrative Education from the University of South Carolina. In addition to his work with The Cohen Group, General Scaparrotti sits on the boards iof the Atlantic Council and Patriot Foundation, and is a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University.

Yoo Myung-hee served at the Ministries of Trade, Industry and Energy and Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea for nearly three decades before becoming Korea’s first female trade minister (2019-2021). In a variety of roles she designed and implemented Korea’s trade policy and negotiation strategies and led numerous bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations as Korea’s chief negotiator, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and Korea’s free trade agreements with the United States and ASEAN. As trade minister, she contributed to international initiatives to ensure supply chain resilience and to address digital trade policy. She received her BA and MPA from Seoul National University and JD from Vanderbilt University Law School and currently teaches at the Graduate School of International Studies of Seoul National University.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1745-the-u-s-republic-of-korea-alliance-at-70-legacy-and-future

October 18, 2023 - Join us for an in-person program with former Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Energy of the Republic of Korea Duck Koo Chung , also the Founder and Chairman of the NEAR Foundation (North-East Asia Research Foundation), as he recounts his time as a Deputy Minister of Finance during the 1997 IMF Crisis. Chung played a crucial part in Korea’s impressively rapid economic recovery as chief negotiator representing the Korean government with the IMF. This program will feature Chung’s reflections on Korea’s development in the 25 years since the crisis, and insights into the trajectory of Korean society and economy as the country navigates trade tensions between the U.S. and China. This conversation will be moderated by Korea Society President and CEO Tom Byrne .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1730-the-korean-economy-beyond-the-crisis-korea-us-china-economic-interdependence-and-competition

October 13, 2023 - Join us for this book talk with Dr. Aram Hur , who discusses Narratives of Civic Duty: How National Stories Shape Democracy in Asia . At a time when nationalism appears to be stoking regional conflicts and democratic backsliding in Asia and beyond, Dr. Hur's book argues for the positive capacity of nationalism. The book received the 2023 Robert A. Dahl Award from the American Political Science Association for "scholarship of the highest quality on the subject of democracy" by an untenured scholar. Dr. Hur is the Kim Koo Chair in Korean Studies and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. She was the recipient of The Korea Society's Sherman Family Emerging Scholar Lecture Award in 2021. This program is a collaboration between The Korea Society's Policy Department and the Education Department, and is moderated by Linda Tobash , Senior Advisor for Education. The discussant is Dr. Darcie Draudt , Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1680-how-national-stories-shape-democracy-in-asia

Recorded October 5, 2023 - The Korea Society, Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York are co-hosting the New York Korean Financial Forum. We are pleased to welcome Soonkyu (SK) Shin , who works on Wall Street as a credit analyst, to tell his newest story, an evolution of the theme of life's robustness that he has been writing about for the past few years. As part of an ongoing KIC forum, this program aims to share thoughts on various aspects of life from a finance professional’s perspective with a larger audience, including students, diverging from the usual format of sharing professional investment knowledge.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1733-living-a-balanced-life-in-a-capitalistic-society-a-veteran-wall-street-analyst-s-views

October 6, 2023 - Three poets. Three translators. One conversation.

Join us for an evening of bilingual poetry readings. Three poets - Moon Bo Young , Kim Liyoun , Kim Sono - along with three translators - Soje , Eunice Lee , Jenny Jisun Kim - explore the power of language to connect us with one another.

Not as well known to many audiences, Korean poetry contains a rich and vibrant tradition that is yet to be understood. It is through the exchanging of dialogue, breath, and verse that the moment of Korean poetry is revealed.

This program is a collaboration between The Korea Society’s Arts and Culture Department and Education Department and is moderated by Education Program Officer, Amanda Grant .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1719-korean-and-english-bilingual-poetry-reading

Recorded September 27, 2023 - Join us for the launch of the Korean translation of Keeping At It: The Quest for Sound Money and Good Government , a memoir written by the late Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker . This program features William R. Rhodes , CEO of William R. Rhodes Global Advisors and author of “Banker to the World ,” which includes a foreword written by Volcker, and insights from Christine Harper , a member of Bloomberg’s editorial board, on Volcker’s extraordinary life and legacy. From his early days working in the Treasury Department, to his time in the Federal Reserve navigating the high inflation of the 1970s and 80s, Volcker’s thoughtful reflections on the importance of good government, stable finance, and stable prices continue to resonate in this new translation.

This program is produced in partnership with Columbia University’s APEC Study Center.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1716-keeping-at-it-the-quest-for-sound-money-and-good-government

September 21, 2023 - Join us for a program that addresses the new nuclear dynamics of Northeast Asia produced in cooperation with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center. This panel discussion investigates how regional shifts in nuclear weapons capabilities and evolving doctrines affect the Korean Peninsula and beyond, with a focus on North Korea’s quickly developing nuclear and missile deterrent, the maturing nuclear capabilities of the People’s Republic of China, the US-ROK Alliance’s evolving nuclear posture, Russian aggression, and the role of trilateral US-Korea-Japan security cooperation. The panel consists of: Matthew Kroenig , Vice President and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy, Markus Garlauskas , director of the new Indo-Pacific Security Initiative of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Dr. Sue Mi Terry , and Major Jessica Taylor , USAFR and Princeton University, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1712-new-nuclear-dynamics-of-northeast-asia

September 15, 2023 - Join us for the New York City book launch of The Sister: North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, The Most Dangerous Woman in the World . Hear from author Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee , Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado . This newly released book chronicles the rise and importance of Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Dr. Lee describes Kim Yo Jong as “ruthless and incredibly dangerous… a princess by birth with great expectations for her macabre kingdom, she was brought up to believe it is her mission to reunite North Korea with the South or die trying.”

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1704-the-sister

September 13, 2023 - Join two Korean-American picture book writers as they discuss the many different layers of consideration, introspection, and deliberation that go into conceiving and writing picture books, and the importance of humor and diversity in children's literature.

For many young readers, being able to see themselves reflected in the books they read is a profound experience. Seeing and reading accurate representations of one's own identity and culture provide a sense of visibility and relatability. Not only are diverse representations in children’s books important for children of color, but they’re important for all children, as they offer a chance to learn realities and experiences different from their own and to appreciate that difference.

Frances Cha , the bestselling author of If I Had Your Face who has just written a humorous picture book about centuries-old dokkaebi journeying from Korea to modern New York, will be in conversation with Aram Kim , author, illustrator and designer of children's books, about writing and illustrating Korean-themed picture books for children.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1710-behind-the-scenes-writing-a-picture-book

September 8, 2023 - When a father goes missing, his family’s desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another in this thrilling page-turner, a deeply moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek .

Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut, Miracle Creek , Angie Kim turns the missing-person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another.

In her conversation with Susan Choi , Angie Kim discusses her second novel and career.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1708-angie-kim-happiness-falls-with-susan-choi

September 9, 2023 - Join us for a discussion featuring Dr. Sungmin Cho , professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, an academic institute of the US Department of Defense, based in Hawaii. Dr. Cho will present research that analyzes Chinese texts focusing on North Korea's regime stability, the country's uncertain future, and the potential unification of the Korean Peninsula. The research encompasses a review of 62 Chinese journal articles and 29 expert commentaries written by Chinese scholars. Cho explains how examining the writings of Chinese civilian scholars helps decipher Chinese strategic thinking, despite the presence of censorship. Cho also provides an analytic framework for Beijing's cost-benefit calculus regarding the potential unification of the Korean Peninsula, aiming to empower policymakers in Washington and Seoul to develop a more informed understanding and strategy. This program is a collaboration between The Korea Society's Policy Department and the Education Department, and is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1707-chinese-views-of-north-korea-s-uncertain-future

August 29, 2023 - Welcome to the latest installment of the Korea Society's Leadership Interview Series featuring José Muñoz , President and Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, who also serves as the President and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. President Muñoz is one of the most influential leaders in the auto industry.

President Muñoz will look back at the roots of Hyundai Motor's remarkable story, discuss current developments, and provide insights into the future of the auto industry in the United States. He will also delve into the impacts of IRA and trade tensions on Hyundai's global business, its strategy to become one of the world's top EV manufacturers, and much more. Join us for this special opportunity to hear first-hand about his path to becoming a top executive at Hyundai and how he navigates the rapidly evolving industry landscape.

This program was recorded on August 22 at Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley, CA.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1711-interview-with-jose-munoz

August 22, 2023 - What motivates interest among the South Korean population and national security expert community in the potential development of an indigenous nuclear deterrent? How likely is Seoul to go in this direction? And if it does, what are the costs, benefits, and implications for its economy, the US-Korea Alliance, the region, and the nonproliferation regime? Dr. Clint Work , Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), Dr. Lami Kim , College of Security Studies at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Dr. Bee Yun Jo , Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, and Dr. Hyun-Binn Cho , The College of New Jersey, discuss with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado and program officer Chelsie Alexandre .

Clarification: Cho and Petrovics argue in their Bulletin piece that North Korea’s new law shifts the evidence away from a second strike strategy.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1699-the-south-korea-nuclear-debate

July 19, 2023 - World-renowned South Korean directors, including Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon Ho, cite Kim Ki-young as being the greatest Korean influence on their work. When Yuh-Jung Youn won the best supporting actress award at the 2021 Oscars, she thanked Kim Ki-young, the “genius” director of the first film she starred in, 1971’s Woman of Fire .

During his thirty year career, Kim Ki-young produced thirty-three films and became revered by critics within the national and international community as one of the few South Korean ‘auteurs’. As the first comprehensive scholarly volume on Kim Ki-young in English, ReFocus: The Films of Kim Ki-young covers his entire career and history of cinematic work, highlighting the thematic and stylistic singularity of Kim’s oeuvre, which was produced relative to the specific historical and cultural conditions of post-war South Korea. It offers an innovative departure point from which to explore South Korean film relative to the wider history of world cinema, in addition to situating Kim’s work within the broader fields of Korean modern history, transnational cinema and cultural studies.

Join us for a conversation about Kim Ki-young's films and career with the contributors to this volume: Jason Bechervaise , Steve Choe , Chung-kang Kim , and Ariel Schudson .

For more information, please visit the link:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1697-the-films-of-kim-ki-young

July 13, 2023 - Bringing together a wealth of primary sources and with contributions from leading experts, Dress History of Korea presents the most recent approaches to the interpretation of dress and fashion of Korea. Through close analysis of visual, written, and material sources—some newly excavated or recently re-discovered in global museums—the book reveals how dress and adornment evolved from the period of state formation to the modern era.

As in other cultures, modern Korean fashion owes many of its styles to historic dress and this process of adaptation is explored within high fashion and popular culture contexts in ways that benefit historians, curators, and designers alike.

Authors with a range of academic and curatorial experience discuss the close relation of dress and adornments to the socio-political and cultural history of Korea and place the dress history of Korea within broader contexts in studies of fashion, material culture, museology, and costume design.

Join us for a conversation with Minjee Kim and Kyunghee Pyun , the editors of this anthology.

Video version available here .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCraL67-KoQ

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1696-dress-history-of-korea

June 15, 2023 - What’s really happening in North Korea right now? The regime’s pandemic border closures have left diplomats and aid workers outside the country, making it even more difficult than normal for the outside world to understand the Kim regime’s decision making and the daily lives of ordinary North Korean people. Join us for a discussion that goes behind the headlines to explore human rights and human stories in North Korea, with four renowned experts at the front lines of journalism and advocacy. Hear from: Eiji Han Shimizu , Director of the animated movie True North , Kim Young Hwan , Senior Researcher of NK Net, Ishimaru Jiro , Director of Asia Press Osaka, Eun Kyoung Kwon , Director, NK Net. This program is moderated by Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1685-behind-the-headlines-human-rights-and-human-stories-in-north-korea

May 25, 2023 - K-pop, K-fashion, K-drama, K-beauty: over the past decade, K-style has exploded onto the global scene. What is behind this phenomenon? Where does K-style go from here?

In Make, Break, Remix: The Rise of K-style , author and communications consultant Fiona Bae makes no attempt to define or categorize the movement, instead celebrating the eclectic and multifaceted nature of K-style and its home city of Seoul. Through interviews with sixteen tastemakers who are shaping K-style across creative sectors—from 1MILLION Dance Studio’s Lia Kim, rock band leader Hwang Soyoon, and world-famous tattoo artist Doy to drag performer Nana Youngrong Kim, Asia’s leading interior designer Teo Yang, and leading K-pop stylist Youngjin Kim (who has styled BTS, Kang Daniel, and NCT)—Bae tells untold stories from true insiders, exploring a sense of identity in their work, how living in Seoul affects them and their creative output, and the decade of changes that has brought about the current K-style.

In her conversation with Frances Cha , Bae discusses the rise of K-style.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1678-make-break-remix-the-rise-of-k-style-with-fiona-bae

May 23, 2023 - Seoul, South Korea makes Beverly Hills look like a one-stoplight town when it comes to the beauty rat race, and it’s getting more intense every year. Elise Hu spent four years in South Korea as NPR’s bureau chief, and during her tenure there, the K-beauty industry tripled to become a $10 billion industry. South Korea is home to more than 7,500 cosmetic and skincare manufacturers, and K-beauty has staked its claim as the future of skin care.

With products that promise pore-less perfection, South Korea’s $10 billion beauty industry is a decade ahead of any other country in innovation and heralded by many industry professionals as the best when it comes to products, regimen, and end-results. Riding the pop culture “Korean wave” and marketed by K-pop superstars and global brands, K-beauty promises flawless skin and a soothing multi-step routine. You’ll find K-beauty products in any city around the world, and in the US, the biggest importer of K-beauty behind China, you can take your pick from hundreds of brands at stores from Nordstrom and Bloomingdales to Sephora and Target. But how did K-Beauty become the darling of the global skincare industry? And does the trend stop at creams and toners? Or are we in an appearance revolution that will permanently transform our faces and bodies towards a more aesthetically pleasing sameness?

Elise Hu , NPR host-at-large and the host of TED Talks Daily, asked herself those questions after living and working in Seoul, the heart of the K-beauty industry. She delivers an audacious, journalistic exposé of the booming industry from the ground up in Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. In the book, Hu explores K-beauty’s undeniable success and shines a much-needed light on the darker ramifications of the impossible standards and pressures that drive its growth and their effects on women in a looks-obsessed patriarchy.

In a conversation with Hannah Bae , Elise Hu discusses her book and her experience in Korea.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1672-flawless

May 11, 2023 - Join us for a book talk with Dr. Siegfried Hecker , who discusses “his on-the-ground experience at the North's nuclear center at Yongbyon,” unpacking the ramifications of North Korea’s technical developments in the context of fateful foreign policy decisions by Washington, Seoul, and Pyongyang. Dr. Hecker describes how “successive U.S. administrations have been unable to prevent the North, with the weakest of hands, from becoming one of only three countries in the world that might target the United States with nuclear weapons.” The discussion also includes a consideration of developments to the approach addressed in the summit meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and the debate around the potential for South Korea to acquire an indigenous deterrent. This program is moderated by Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1675-hinge-points-an-inside-look-at-north-korea-s-nuclear-program

May 3, 2023 - Join us for the latest episode of our Leadership Interview Series with FILA Holdings Corporation & Acushnet Holdings Corporation Chairman Gene Yoon , moderated by The Korea Society’s President & CEO Tom Byrne .

Chairman Gene Yoon has a legendary story of success as a self-made businessman. His early career in business was a stepping stone that paved the way to his leveraged buyout of the global FILA brand in 2007. He brought the storied Italian-born brand back to life after taking the company public in Korea in 2010.

Chairman Yoon will share inspiring lessons and insights learned from his remarkable career, guided by his entrepreneurial spirit. Chairman Yoon will recount his career milestones and how he achieved business successes against formidable odds. He currently serves as the Chairman of both FILA Holdings Corporation and Acushnet Holdings Corporation, which hold the trademarks for FILA as well as Titleist and FootJoy respectively. Under his leadership, he has propelled both firms to oversee leading global golf and sportswear brands.

Chairman Yoon has received numerous accolades in his career and serves on the board of The Korea Society.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1659-interview-with-fila-acushnet-holdings-corporation-chairman-gene-yoon

Recorded April 27, 2023 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. However, the possible consequences of AI are bifold. While it has enabled dramatic improvements by achieving quick and efficient results, it also raises fears of the unknown.

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking YPN interview with Professor Jeongki Lim , a leading expert in transdisciplinary design. In this interactive program with Professor Lim, he walks through his career journey on how he landed on his current position and shares invaluable insights gained through his years of experience and research in the creative technology and design industry. Prof. Lim also explores how AI technologies have impacted creative industries and beyond, as well as the challenges and opportunities they have posed in shaping the future. This discussion is moderated by Tae Young Woo , Co-Founder and CEO of Finestra.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1664-ypn-a-conversation-with-prof-jeongki-lim-our-future-with-ai

April 28, 2023 - Join us for this conversation on the major diplomatic, security, and economic takeaways from the US-Korea Summit between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Korea Society is joined by former ROK Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo , Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. Katrin Katz and The Washington Post Seoul Bureau Chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee , in conversation with Korea Society President and CEO Tom Byrne .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1671-us-korea-summit-analysis

April 27, 2023 - Join us for a discussion that aims to cultivate fresh ideas on America’s policy toward North Korea and coordination with ally South Korea by mobilizing a nuanced understanding of past lessons. The discussion includes consideration of developments to the approach addressed in the summit meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The program features Professor Jeong-Ho Roh , Director of the Center for Korean Legal Studies, Jenny Town , Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and the Director of Stimson's 38 North Program, and Keith Luse , Executive Director of the National Committee on North Korea (NCNK), in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1669-north-korea-lessons-learned-and-creative-thinking

April 13, 2023 - An instant bestseller in Korea and the follow up to the international bestseller, Please Look After Mom, I Went to See My Father by Kyung-Sook Shin centers on a woman’s efforts to reconnect with her aging father, uncovering long-held family secrets. More than just the portrait of a single man, I Went to See My Father opens a window onto humankind, family, loss, and war. With this long-awaited follow-up to Please Look After Mom —flawlessly rendered by award-winning translator Anton Hur—Kyung-Sook Shin has crafted an ambitious, global, epic, and lasting novel.

In a rare personal appearance in the U.S., Kyung-Sook Shin will be joined by Jenny Wang Medina to discuss her latest novel.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1666-kyung-sook-shin-with-jenny-wang-medina

April 13, 2023 - Join us for a discussion about North Korea’s cyber threat, with Jean Lee , co-host of the BBC’s Lazarus Heist podcast and public policy fellow with the Wilson Center, and cybersecurity expert Michael Barnhart , who is currently with the threat intelligence firm Mandiant and was formerly Cyber Team Lead at the US Senate and signals intelligence collector in the intelligence community. The discussion is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1662-the-north-korean-cyber-threat

April 11, 2023 - A novel about a woman tossed overboard by heartbreak and loss, who has to find her way back to stable shores with the help of a giant Pacific octopus. Sea Change is an "absolutely stunning debut" novel —Frances Cha, author of If I Had Your Face —by Gina Chung .

Ro is stuck. She’s just entered her thirties, she’s estranged from her mother, and her boyfriend has just left her to join a mission to Mars. Her days are spent dragging herself to her menial job at a mall aquarium, and her nights are spent drinking sharktinis (Mountain Dew and copious amounts of gin, plus a hint of jalapeno). With her best friend pulling away to focus on her upcoming wedding, Ro’s only companion is Dolores, a giant Pacific octopus who also happens to be Ro's last remaining link to her father, a marine biologist who disappeared while on an expedition when Ro was a teenager. When Dolores is sold to a wealthy investor intent on moving her to a private aquarium, Ro finds herself on the precipice of self-destruction. Wading through memories of her youth, Ro has one last chance to come to terms with her childhood trauma, recommit to those around her, and find her place in an ever-changing world.

In a conversation with Frances Cha , Gina Chung talks about her debut novel.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1665-gina-chung-sea-change

Recorded March 3, 2023 - Join us for a conversation with Dr. John Delury , Professor of Chinese Studies at Yonsei University, on his new book, Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China . This roundtable and pre-recorded video explores a Korean War era mission in China that went wrong, resulting in the 20-year imprisonment of an American operative named John T. Downey. "Agents of Subversion is an innovative work of transnational history, and it demonstrates both how the Chinese Communist regime used the fear of special agents to tighten its grip on society and why intellectuals in Cold War America presciently worried that subversion abroad could lead to repression at home." This program is moderated by Korea Society president & CEO Thomas Byrne .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1656-agents-of-subversion-with-professor-john-delury

February 16, 2023 - Join this discussion with Dr. Henry W. Brands , Professor and Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, about his book The General vs. the President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War . The book explores the tensions between President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur as the Korean War escalates, threatening to boil over into another World War. This discussion is part of a collection of programs that mark the 70th anniversary of The Korean War Armistice Agreement and the signing of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. Professor Brands joins policy director Jonathan Corrado in conversation.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1651-the-general-vs-the-president-macarthur-and-truman-at-the-brink-of-nuclear-war

February 9, 2023 - Join our discussion about the consequences of Korea’s rapid economic development on the family unit and society at large, featuring Seoul National University sociology Professor Chang Kyung-Sup . This program is a collaboration with the Policy Department and the Education Department.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1631-consequences-of-korea-s-compressed-modernity

February 7, 2023 - Twenty-five years in the making, Heinz Insu Fenkl 's ambitious, darkly funny, sweeping novel SKULL WATER is a haunting inter-generational coming-of-age story that grapples with identity and displacement in South Korea in the 1950s and 1970s, and reveals a history both countries would prefer to conceal. Born in South Korea to a German father and a Korean mother, Fenkl grew up in Korea, Germany, and the U.S., and his own experience informs this deeply autobiographical novel.

SKULL WATER is the story of Insu, the son of a Korean mother and a GI father in the U.S. Army, and the intertwined tale of his Korean Big Uncle, who has been exiled to a mountain cave near the family village to die from a gangrenous foot. Growing up near the army base in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Insu and his two best friends, also "half and halfs," spend their days skipping school, selling scavenged Western goods on the black market, and testing the boundaries between childhood and adulthood. When Insu hears an old legend that water collected from a dead person's skull will cure any sickness, he vows to collect some to heal Big Uncle's mysterious injury. His quest takes him and his friends on a sprawling journey into some of South Korea's darkest corners. Meanwhile, Big Uncle, a geomancer uprooted by the Korean War, has embraced his solitude and fate and attempts to teach his nephew that life is not limited to what we can see or think we know.

In his interview with The New Yorker, Fenkl said; "It's a Korean folk belief that stories are meant to be told, and that if one keeps them to oneself and hoards them, there will be terrible consequences."

Join us for a conversation with Heinz Insu Fenkl about his latest book.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1649-heinz-insu-fenkl-skull-water

January 24, 2023 - Introduce children to Asian cuisine and the #VERYASIAN movement! Written by Michelle Li , A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food introduces young readers to classic and modern Korean dishes and provides fun facts about the foods and culture of Korea.

Michelle Li is an award-winning, veteran journalist and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation. She started a global movement of unity with the viral hashtag #veryasian after she received a racist voicemail in response to her sharing on-air the Korean foods she eats. She is a vocal advocate for the Asian American community and brings this same pride and energy for her culture to her debut children’s book.

The book is the first in the Very Asian Guide series, a children’s book series that celebrates various Asian cuisines, and is published by Gloo Books, a new children’s book publishing company making books for a more inclusive, just and compassionate future.

Join us for a conversation with Michelle Li.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1645-a-very-asian-guide-to-korean-food

January 17, 2023 - Bong Joon Ho: Dissident Cinema by culture writer and screenwriter Karen Han is the first definitive critical and visual survey of the Academy Award–winning South Korean writer/director who has been making critically acclaimed feature films for more than two decades. Brilliantly illustrated and designed by the London-based film magazine Little White Lies, this lush monograph surveys Bong’s full body of work, including his short films and music videos. The accompanying text by Karen Han, interviews with Bong’s key collaborators, and foreword by David Lowery (The Green Knight ) flesh out the stories behind Bong’s films and explore his rise in the cultural eye of the West.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1642-bong-joon-ho-dissident-cinema-with-karen-han

January 12, 2023 - Join us for a discussion on the causes and consequences of South Korea’s shrinking birth rate, including its impact on social and civic relations, the economy, and the military, as well as an exploration of efforts to reverse the trend. This discussion features Washington Post reporter Min Joo Kim , Wall Street Journal reporter Dasl Yoon , University of Missouri Assistant Professor Dr. Aram Hur , and Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt , in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1636-south-korea-s-demographic-challenge

Recorded December 7, 2022 - Did you know that leading tech companies, namely Apple, Google, and Microsoft, started their journey with venture capital funding? As many success stories suggest, venture capital is a key financial resource for startups’ emergence and growth.

Join us for our upcoming YPN series featuring two leaders in venture capital – Bernard Moon , Co-founder & Partner at SparkLabs Group, and John Nahm , Co-founder & Managing Partner at Strong Ventures. Bernard and John have a lively discussion on topics helpful to aspiring entrepreneurs seeking timely advice, including their career highlights, their supervisory roles at the company, and how they managed to seek robust business growth. Moreover, they shed light on the current market trends and prospects for venture capital. Moderating this session is another leading venture capital specialist, Eddie Lee , a Partner at White Star Capital.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1634-young-professionals-network-meet-the-leaders-of-venture-capital

December 19, 2022 - Join us as Lucy Park , Sejong Cultural Society Executive Director, and Elizabeth Jorgensen , writer and educator at Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin, share their insights into and passion for the ancient Korean poetry form, Sijo. Part of the Society’s Spotlight on Korean Studies in K-12 Schooling series, this talk will inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Sijo: Korea’s Poetry Form not only provides tips, techniques and sample lesson plans for teaching and writing Sijo, it also explores the history and beauty of the form. The authors ask, “With only three lines, and 46 syllables, how much can a poet fit within its confines?”, and answer, “a world of story and emotion!” In their talk they demonstrate the power of the form by showcasing award-winning modern sijos and accompanying illustrations by Wonsook Kim.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/education/item/1638-sijo-korea-s-poetry-form

2022 Korea Society Van Fleet Policy Signature Event - In Partnership with FMC

Recorded December 8, 2022 - Join The Korea Society and Former Members of Congress (FMC) & the Congressional Study Groups for a dialogue with a bipartisan pair of Former Members of Congress to hear insights on the consequences of America’s midterm elections on the country at large and its dynamic relationship with South Korea. This conversation features former Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO, 2005-2013) and former Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL, 2013-2021), and is moderated by Korea Society President and CEO Thomas Byrne. The roundtable dialogue features input from policy and corporate professionals and is released as a pre-recorded video and podcast.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1632-the-impact-of-the-u-s-midterms-and-the-u-s-korea-alliance

November 28, 2022 - Join us for the Sixth Annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture! Eunbin Chung , Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and the 2022 Sherman Family Korea Scholar Lecture awardee, will address National Identity Affirmation and Trust in Korea, Japan, and China from a unique perspective. Legacies of conflict and distrust have made it difficult for East Asian countries to form regional institutions and overcome security dilemmas. Chung's research questions two conventional wisdoms related to these regional dynamics: 1) that distrust among states can be overcome through cultural convergence and appealing to a shared identity (such as the "European" identity developed through the creation of the EU) and 2) that strong, inward-focused national identities exacerbate inter-state distrust and conflict. Chung asks, Is this true? Do distinct national identities really impede international trust?

Chung’s research advances the concept that trust not only can be built among nations when each affirms its own distinctive identity, but that this approach may be more effective than embracing common identities across different countries. Dr. Katrin Katz, the inaugural Sherman Family Lecture Award recipient and Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Society, describes Chung’s argument as “breaking new ground in tackling some prevailing beliefs regarding the relationship between national identity and levels of inter-state trust and conflict. Dr. Chung's work entails a hopeful message for East Asia and beyond: that emphasizing the favorable and distinctive traits of one's own country need not lead to antagonistic relations with neighbors.”

Come hear more about Chung’s fascinating research on advancing productive dialogue in the region. Aram Hur , Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri and our 2021 Sherman Family Lecture, awardee will introduce the lecture.

The annual Sherman Family award and lecture, now in its sixth year, aims to grow U.S. thought leadership on Korea for a new generation. The award is presented across disciplines and to emerging thought leaders, from doctoral candidates to junior professors and respective research or non-profit professionals. The award is made possible through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sherman and family. You can view the presentations of former award winners at the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1392-2020-korea-emerging-scholar-lecture-awardee-announced

Video version of this lecture with presentation slides can be seen at the link below:
https://youtu.be/CvgZgVYTMt0

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1627-sherman-family-korea-emerging-scholar-lecture-2022

December 6, 2022 - Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize and the winner of a PEN/Heim Grant, Cursed Bunny is the wildly original debut story collection from Bora Chung , a rising star of Korean literature. Published in the US for the very first time and translated by the acclaimed Anton Hur, Chung’s stories are modern fables for the internet age, offering biting critiques on the patriarchy, capitalism, politics, and the reign of big tech. Blending elements of horror, fantasy, surrealism and sci-fi, Chung creates an absurd, chilling universe that illuminates the ills of contemporary society.

Mirroring the simple style of the fairy tales and legends of storytellers like The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christen Anderson, the ten stories of Cursed Bunny are imaginative, thought-provoking and deeply unsettling, destined to haunt readers for weeks after reading.

In this episode of Author Talks, Bora Chung discusses her career in Korea and her English debut.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1635-author-talks-bora-chung

December 6, 2022 - A discussion on the most likely scenarios for the future of the Korean Peninsula, featuring: Korea Risk Group CEO Chad O’Carroll , NK News Director and Professor at Kookmin University Andrei Lankov , NK News Lead Correspondent Jeongmin Kim , and NK News Senior Analytic Correspondent Colin Zwirko , in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado. Utilizing forecasts that rely on the trajectory of current conditions, the experts debate the best possible case, the worst possible case, and the most likely scenario. The experts also opine on how to avoid the most dangerous contingencies and create conditions for positive developments. Join us for this discussion informed by a rich tapestry of journalistic and academic inquiry.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1630-three-futures-north-korea-and-the-korean-peninsula

November 22, 2022 - South Korea holds the proud distinction of being the first independent Asian country to participate in a FIFA World Cup tournament in 1954. Still, Korea's success in soccer is forever linked with the 2002 World Cup: while co-hosting the tournament with Japan, Korea became the first team outside of Europe and America to reach the semi-finals. That event propelled Korea to the next stage in the world of soccer, as it became a home of world-class players, a robust professional soccer league, and the most dedicated fans.

On the eve of Korea's eleventh total and tenth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance in Qatar, join us for a conversation with Steve Han about the history of soccer in Korea.

Steve Han is a journalist specializing in sports and entertainment. He is currently a chief editor for Korea at soccer editorial agency Ganassa, writing for FIFA+, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund. In addition to a 14-year career as a football writer at Goal between 2008 and March 2022, he has also freelanced for various publications, including FourFourTwo and Sports Chosun, and has appeared on BBC World News and Sky Sports.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1633-korea-fifa-world-cup

October 25, 2022 - Join us for a discussion on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy trends and how they tie in with the latest developments of nuclear weapons and missiles on and around the Korean Peninsula. The discussion features Open Nuclear Network (ONN) Senior Analyst Rachel Minyoung Lee and Analysts Jaewoo Shin and Tianran Xu , and Lauren Sukin , Assistant Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. Utilizing open source intelligence and satellite photos, as well as findings from academic inquiry, the experts unpack how new and developing weapons impact the security environment in Northeast Asia.

This program is produced in partnership with Columbia University’s APEC Study Center.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1604-korean-peninsula-nuclear-update

October 24, 2022 - As global superstars put everything on the line for a special one-night-only concert, they face struggles both cultural and personal that threaten to dismantle one of the industry’s hottest labels. Featuring a cast of K-pop and musical theater stars, with 18 Broadway debuts, KPOP is a multimedia experience that explores the relentless discipline, raw talent, and commercial ambition behind the international sensation.

KPOP has the distinction of being the first musical on Broadway celebrating Korean culture and it is the third Broadway musical that highlights API heritage with API representation in the cast and creative team.

Join us for a conversation with the creative team behind the scene and cast members as they prepare to make their Broadway debut.

About the Speakers:

HELEN PARK (Music & Lyrics, Music Production & Arrangements) is best known for her work as composer-lyricist and music producer for the upcoming Broadway musical, KPOP, for which she is a three-time Drama Desk nominee and recipient of a Lucille Lortel Award and Richard Rodgers Award. Additionally, Park co-wrote songs for the Oscar-nominated Netflix animated musical film Over the Moon, directed by Academy Award-winning animator Glen Keane. She holds an MFA from NYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program and is an alumnus of the advanced BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop.

BOHYUNG (Tiny) is proud to be making her Broadway debut in KPOP. She is a veteran K-Pop star, debuting as a member of SPICA as well as performing as a solo artist. She has performed at KCON LA, KCON Abu Dhabi, Rainbow Festival, Immortal Songs, King of Mask Singer, amongst others. @bohyungkim

KEVIN WOO (Jun Hyuk) is honored to make his Broadway debut in KPOP. As a successful Korean-American singer-songwriter and former member of K-pop boy band U-KISS, he dedicates this to his South Korean heritage. @kevinwoo_official

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1623-kpop-the-broadway-musical

October 19, 2022 - This Quick Take on Korea discussion covers the latest issues impacting South Korea, the U.S.-Korea Relationship, and North Korea, with expert insights from Rob Rapson , former Chargé d'Affaires of U.S. Embassy Seoul.

Robert Rapson is a former senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer whose 39-year diplomatic career spanned the Indo-Pacific region from Korea and Japan to Southeast Asia, India and Afghanistan. As Chargé d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission, led, managed, and motivated large multicultural U.S. Embassies in Seoul, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur to advance significant U.S. political, economic, commercial, security, law enforcement, and public diplomacy interests with those countries and across the Asia region during periods of major political transition and crisis. A recognized Korea/East Asia expert and skilled advocate, negotiator, team builder, strategic planner, editor and communicator who navigates with ease across senior-most levels of foreign governments, the corporate sector, and public audiences.

October 11, 2022 - How do our stories transform as they are passed down to each generation? Prize-winning poet Su Cho explores the legacies of language and lore in her unforgettable debut collection, The Symmetry of Fish . Selected by Space Struck author Paige Lewis for the National Poetry Series, these poems trace the narratives and phrases of a Korean American immigrant family with absorbing tenderness and curiosity. Cho threads stories of food and folktales through her meditations on joy, grief, friendship, faith, and coming of age in the middle of nowhere. This inventive debut illuminates how language is not lost over generations but distilled into potency— continuously remade, hitched to new associations, and capable of blooming anew.

In this conversation, Su Cho discusses her debut collection and the emerging tradition of Korean-American poetry.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1614-a-conversation-with-su-cho

October 6, 2022 - Join us for this discussion about the outside world’s attempts to reach the North Korean population through media, with Dong Hyuk Lee , Chief of Voice Of America’s Korean Service, and Dr. Jieun Baek , Fellow with the Korea Project and the Applied History Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1603-message-in-a-bottle-broadcasting-to-north-korea

September 23, 2022 - Join us for this expert panel discussion on the U.S.-ROK Alliance, featuring former National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Allison Hooker , Korea Society Board Chair Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens , and Korea Society Van Fleet senior fellow Dr. Katrin Katz , and moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado . How can the U.S. and South Korea work together to pursue shared objectives in an increasingly fraught and complex security environment? To optimize the approach, what adaptations or evolutions are needed to the shared diplomatic, economic, and security agenda?

This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors. For more information about our supporters, please refer to our webpage here .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1602-u-s-rok-alliance-the-road-ahead

September 6, 2022 - Join us for this roundtable and podcast recording on North Korea-China Relations after The Singapore Summit , with Dr. Seong-Hyon Lee , senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation and a visiting scholar at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado, Dr. Lee’s talk explores the evolving relationship between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with a special focus on the time period between the U.S.-DPRK Summits in Singapore (June 2018) and Hanoi (February 2019). Dr. Lee scrutinizes documentary footage of the summits, reviews official Chinese and North Korean documents, and utilizes interviews with people in the know to reveal how Xi gradually increased his influence over Kim through their five summit meetings between March 2018 and June 2019. The talk concludes with some policy implications for the North Korean nuclear issue under the current Biden-Xi administrations.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1611-north-korea-china-relations-after-the-singapore-summit

September 1, 2022 - Still today, education remains inaccessible to millions of children across the globe. In meeting their educational needs, extensive technology use has become helpful in expanding the quality learning environment.

This Young Professionals' Network program features Sooinn Lee , the Co-Founder and CEO of Enuma, Inc. Founded in 2012, Enuma has developed multiple award-winning digital learning platforms for youth and children, including those from under-resourced environments. Join us for a timely conversation with Sooinn as she will discuss her ongoing work and achievements in providing children of various backgrounds with high-quality education, along with her far-reaching vision and goals. This discussion will be moderated by Jay Oh, Senior Director of Arts and Culture of The Korea Society.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1600-a-conversation-with-enuma-ceo-sooinn-lee

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce.

This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy!

PANEL TWO DISCUSSION

Moderator
Professor William I. Sauser, Jr. PhD , Auburn University Harbert College of Business

Panelists
Athar Khan , Director of International Specialty Sales, Delta Air Lines
Stuart Countess , President & CEO, Kia Georgia
Steven Jahng , Director/Head of External Affairs/Social Value, SK Battery America, Inc.
Yoonie Kim , Director, Korean Investment, Georgia Department of Economic Development

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Pat Wilson , Commissioner for Georgia Department of Economic Development

CLOSING REMARKS
Jae Kim , President, The Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1592-the-comprehensive-strategic-u-s-korea-alliance

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce.

This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy!

PANEL ONE - SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY

Moderator
Ambassador (Ret.) Charles Shapiro , Senior Advisor, The Pendleton Group of consultants

Panelists
General (Ret.) Vincent K Brooks , Former United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command / US Forces Korea Commander
Major General Lee KyungKoo , Republic of Korea Defense Attaché

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1592-the-comprehensive-strategic-u-s-korea-alliance

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce.

This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy!

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1592-the-comprehensive-strategic-u-s-korea-alliance

July 19, 2022 - As one of the first Korean American actors to blaze a unique path through cultural and business barriers into the mainstream, John Cho ’s esteemed career has spanned over two decades with compelling performances across film and television. Cho is also a former 7th-grade English teacher who grew up as a Korean immigrant kid in Texas and East L.A. (among many other places). This spring, he became an instant New York Times bestselling author when he published Troublemaker , an incredible middle grade novel highlighting the unique Korean American perspective as 12-year-old Jordan navigates the evening of the 1992 LA Riots.

In this conversation with The Korea Society, Cho discusses his debut novel and career.

“The novel weaves together large-scale issues of social injustice and interracial barriers with the intimate pain— and joy—of personal relationships. Equal parts suspenseful and emotionally insightful.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A gripping work of historical fiction. . . Exploring a significant historical event, the authors create an accessible yet emotionally complex read.” – Publishers Weekly

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1594-john-cho

July 13, 2022 - As part of our ‘Korea and Coronavirus Series,’ The Korea Society will again host a conversation with Dr. Jerome Kim , Director General of International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Tom Byrne, The Korea Society’s President/CEO. Dr. Manki Song , Deputy Director General of IVI will also join the interview. The speakers will focus on South Korea’s efforts on becoming a ‘K -Global Vaccine Hub,’ a new initiative to strengthen vaccine capabilities on COVID-19 as well as future pandemics. They will also highlight IVI’s continuous journey on overcoming the pandemic and its future plans on building public safety. This program will be recorded at IVI in Seoul when President Byrne visits South Korea in late June.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1593-discussion-on-k-global-vaccine-hub-with-dr-jerome-kim-and-dr-manki-song

June 16, 2022 - The United States and South Korea have a well-established “gold standard” Free Trade Agreement. Now, as international economic relationships are shifting to strategic frameworks and concerns over supply-chain robustness and resiliency, Korean investment in the U.S is gaining attention and transforming the bilateral relationship into a new dynamic. The upcoming President’s Interview Series led by Tom Byrne , the President and CEO of The Korea Society will feature the representatives from three states for an in-depth conversation: Andrew Deye , Vice President, Head of Strategy at JobsOhio, Harry M. Lightsey III , Secretary of Commerce of South Carolina Department of Commerce, and Pat Wilson , Commissioner of Georgia Department of Economic Development. The panelists will discuss the significance of the new wave of Korean direct investment in the United States. They will also cover the business, economic and political angles of the investment in each state, and how this is contributing to the "comprehensive and strategic" partnership between the U.S. and Korea.

This program is made possible by the support from JobsOhio .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1591-catching-the-k-investment-wave-in-the-usa

June 15, 2022 - Meet the new generation of Korean American young adult novelists. Drawing inspiration from the Korean pop culture they grew up consuming and their personal journey as immigrant kids, these authors offer refreshing and compelling representations on myriads of subject matters, from intergenerational struggles and family bonds to identity issues. And they are conquering the bestseller lists while offering a mirror to the generations of young readers that they themselves did not have.

Join our conversation with Claire Ahn , Kat Cho and Mary H. K. Choi , as they discuss the popularity of YA novels featuring Korean and Korean-American characters, the changing perception in the publishing industry regarding Asian American YA novels, and their remarkable stories.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1587-ka-ya-korean-american-ya-novels-authors

June 7, 2022 - King's College London Professor of International Relations, KF-VUB Korea Chair at the Brussels School of Governance, Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident) at CSIS, and Non-resident Fellow at Sejong Institute Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo discusses his new book Shrimp to Whale , which provides an account of South Korea’s extraordinary transformation from “the ashes of colonialism, partition and a devastating war” into “a boisterous democracy, a vibrant market economy, a tech powerhouse, and home to the coolest of cultures.” Please enjoy a 25% discount on pre-orders on the book with code DISTRO25 on this link here .

This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1573-shrimp-to-whale-south-korea-s-extraordinary-transformation

May 26, 2022 - Recently named The New York Times 2021 Breakout Star in Classical Music, Korean conductor Eun Sun Kim is the Caroline H. Hume Music Director of San Francisco Opera. The first woman to serve as music director of one of America's largest opera companies, she is "making history while ensuring the future of classical music in a digital age," as The New York Times declared.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1582-eun-sun-kim

May 24, 2022 - Chances are, you’ve read something you loved by the talented and prolific Marie Myung-Ok Lee . Her stories, criticism, and essays on everything from Picnicking in North Korea to navigating her son’s disability have been published in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, Salon, Guernica, The Paris Review, and The Guardian, among others. She’s the author of the acclaimed novel Somebody’s Daughter and the YA classic, Finding My Voice . A sharp observer, a masterful storyteller, and an extraordinary and bitingly funny stylist, Lee uses those talents here to reveal the world we live in and imagine the world we could live in, too, in her latest novel The Evening Hero .

In The Evening Hero Lee wrestles with big questions and big themes: how war trauma insinuates itself between the generation of immigrants and their American-born children; the dire state of medical care in the US—from rural hospital closures to crazy, high-end shopping mall medicine; and what it means to be a good Korean, a good American, a good human. And she shows us that it’s never too late to become a hero.

In a conversation with Frances Cha , Lee talks about her illustrious career and her latest novel.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1581-marie-myung-ok-lee-with-frances-cha

May 19, 2022 - Born in Seoul and raised in Maryland, Peter Serpico ’s route to Korean food came long after making a name for himself in New York City restaurants. His first bites of marinated short ribs and black bean noodles tasted like home, and a love affair with the flavors and techniques of his birthplace began. Written with Drew Lazor, Serpico's debut cookbook Learning Korean: Recipes for Home Cooking draws from his decades of professional cooking experience to elevate the greatest hits of at-home Korean dishes. In this insightful and endearing cookbook, new flavors, techniques, and ways to enjoy one of the world’s greatest cuisines are revealed by Serpico, chef and father.

In a conversation with Eric Kim , the New York Times bestselling author of Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home , Serpico discusses his career and his debut cookbook.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1580-peter-serpico-learning-korean-with-eric-kim

May 13, 2022 - Join us for this discussion on North Korea's evolving economy, state, and society with Dr. Andrew Yeo , the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at The Brookings Institution and Professor of Politics, Catholic University of America. Yeo's new book, State, Society, and Markets in North Korea , examines the extent and limitations of reform and development under leader Kim Jong Un, arguing that, "situational factors will continue to complicate the country’s future domestic prospects." This live webcast discussion is in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.

This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1579-state-society-and-markets-in-north-korea

May 12, 2022 - Amid intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition, a shifting Indo Pacific regional order, and an undaunted North Korea that continues to develop its nuclear weapons and missile programs, how can South Korea maximize its opportunities and defend against threats? Join us for this conversation about South Korea and a Regional Order in Flux with Dr. Andrew Yeo , SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at The Brookings Institution and Professor of Politics, Catholic University of America, and Dr. Patricia Kim , David M. Rubenstein Fellow at The Brookings Institution, moderated by Korea Society Van Fleet senior fellow Dr. Katrin Katz .

This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1578-south-korea-and-a-regional-order-in-flux

May 10, 2022 - Join us as Dr. Todd A. Henry , Associate Professor in the Department of History and affiliate faculty member of Critical Gender Studies, Science Studies, and Film Studies at the University of California, San Diego (USCD), launches the Society’s new Current Directions in Korea Studies Series. Dr. Henry, a specialist of modern Korea, a social and cultural historian, and an expert in LGBTQ studies, is well-suited to launch our new series. From 2013 to 2018, he served as the inaugural director of Transnational Korean Studies at UCSD and has researched, lectured, and written extensively on topics of place, race, identity, and nation. From his first book, Assimilating Seoul: Japanese Rule and the Politics of Public Space in Colonial Korea, 1910-1945 (University of California Press, 2014) — the Korean translation of which was awarded a 2020 Sejong Book Prize in History, Geography and Tourism — to his recent edited volume, Queer Korea (Duke University Press, 2020), as well as two forthcoming books and a co-produced documentary on queer histories of authoritarian South Korea (1948-1993), Dr. Henry has been a groundbreaking scholar and an empowering educator in the field.

A frontrunner in promoting explorations of same-sex sexuality, gender variance, and other marginalized aspects of Korean society, culture, and history, Dr. Henry will examine how the field in general and his path specifically have evolved over the past few decades. He will discuss current scholarly, artistic, and activist approaches to non-normative embodiment, including the journey and impact of Queer Korea and his hopes for the future of Korean Studies.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/education/item/1583-queerness-as-an-embodied-and-critical-approach-to-korean-studies-with-todd-henry

May 1, 2022 - A great deal of stigma remains on conversations regarding mental health. Among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, the issue is often shrouded by silence and shame, allowing misconceptions and minimization of mental health concerns. Amid historic levels of anti-Asian violence, it is crucial to recognize the intergenerational trauma from immigration and racism and share stories that show the fullness of the AAPI experience in order to educate and form alliances.

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Dr. Shinhee Han , psychotherapist and co-author of Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation: On the Social and Psychic Lives of Asian Americans , and journalist Heidi Shin .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1575-building-resilience-aapi-identity-and-mental-health

April 28, 2022 - A long-married couple is forced to confront their friend’s painful past when a church revival comes to a nearby town … A woman in an arranged marriage struggles to connect with the son she hid from her husband for years … A well-meaning sister unwittingly reunites an abuser with his victims. Skinship by Yoon Choi is a breathtaking debut of an important new voice.

Through an indelible array of lives, Yoon Choi explores where first and second generations either clash or find common ground, where meaning falls in the cracks between languages, where relationships bend under the weight of tenderness and disappointment, where displacement turns to heartbreak. This collection of short stories is suffused with a profound understanding of humanity and offers a searing look at who the people we love truly are.

“To encounter these achingly truthful, beautiful stories of newcomer Americans is like gazing up at the starry vault of a perfect night sky; it’s immediately dazzling and impressive, and yet the closer and deeper you look, the more you appreciate the sheer countless brilliance.” —Chang-rae Lee

Maureen Corrigan/Fresh Air Top 10 Book of the Year ● Longlisted for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection ● An NPR Book Best Book of the Year ● A Kirkus Best Book of the Year

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1556-a-conversation-with-yoon-choi

April 28, 2022 - With strategic competition between the United States and China intensifying and a new South Korean President set to shift Seoul’s foreign policy preferences, join us for this discussion on US-Korea-China relations, featuring: Dr. Seong-Hyon Lee , Harvard University Fairbank Center visiting scholar and Former Director of Sejong Institute Center for Chinese Studies, Yun Sun , Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the East Asia Program and Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, Daniel Russel , Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Dr. Katrin Katz , Korea Society Van Fleet Senior Fellow, moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado . This program is produced in collaboration with Asia Society Policy Institute.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1574-us-korea-china-relations

April 27, 2022 - Join us for this exciting presentation by Ambassador Enna Park about Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. Officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, World Expos are a global gathering of nations dedicated to finding solutions to pressing challenges by offering a journey inside a universal theme through engaging and immersive activities. Korea became one of five candidates to host the World Expo after submitting its bid in June 2021. The other candidates are Moscow, Odessa, Rome, and Ryadh. The host country will be determined by the 170 BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) Member States in 2023, with each country casting one vote. Busan’s bid is based on the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.” Busan is a global hub of both commerce and culture. This city is a transportation and logistics hub for Northeast Asia and its vibrant atmosphere is an incubator for artists such as musicians and filmmakers. In the future, Busan seeks to become an eco-friendly, smart city that harnesses Korea’s advanced digital technologies. Busan’s openness, diversity, and inclusivity make it the ideal host for the 2030 World Expo. If the bid succeedes, the Expo will take place in the city of Busan between May and October 2030.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1576-busan-s-bid-for-world-expo-2030-with-ambassador-enna-park

April 19, 2022 - The Korea Society is pleased to invite Mr. Kyung Shik Sohn , Chairman of CJ Group, for a conversation with the Society’s President/CEO Tom Byrne . In this upcoming episode of our President’s Interview Series, Chairman Sohn will discuss his remarkable success in growing CJ’s diversified businesses domestically and globally, and how CJ is managing an increasingly challenging global business climate. He will also inform us on his contributions to forging stronger U.S.-Korea ties. Chairman Sohn will also talk about his remarkable career and his vision as one of the most respected and influential leaders in the Korean business community.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1570-interview-with-cj-group-chairman-kyung-shik-sohn

April 7, 2022 - Riding the Korean Wave sweeping the world, the traditional Korean costumes have become increasingly visible in global media. In 2021, hanbok - the generic term referring to traditional style Korean clothing - was registered in the Oxford English Dictionary. In this comprehensive series of lectures, Dr. Minjee Kim , the preeminent scholar of Korean textile and fashion in the U.S., illustrates and elucidates hanbok in sartorial, socio-cultural, and historical contexts.

In the second lecture of the series, Dr. Kim discusses some distinctive qualities of men's hanbok in comparison with other dress traditions; terminologies of the components and their structural parts; colors, materials, and embellishments; and symbols and ideas behind design principles and ways of dress.

YouTube video with slides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-MFWJJn7s

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1560-hanbok-a-new-lexicon-of-world-fashion-men-s-hanbok

April 6, 2022 - Do you wonder what it takes and how to build success as an entrepreneur? Although interested, do you find running a startup company quite intimidating? If your answer is yes, join us for our upcoming Young Professionals’ Network program and take your passion to the next level.

The Korea Society is delighted to host a panel discussion featuring three successful Korean American entrepreneurs and startup expert – Ryan Kim (Founder and CEO, Kim’C Market), Sol Park (Managing Director, Korea International Trade Association) and Jun Yoon (Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Culinary Agents and Vice President, Korean Startups & Entrepreneurs (KSE). The discussion will be led by moderator Sang Lee , President of KSE and CEO of VegaX and Konstellation.

In this event, the panelists will spark thought-provoking conversations and inspire a new generation of leaders. They will delve into the realities, challenges, and success they experienced building their entrepreneurial ventures. The discussion will also provide the most important, transformative advice reflecting current K-startup business trends and success stories and share tactical strategies for new Korean businesses in building a solid ground in the US.

Come open-minded, find your potential, and kick start your entrepreneurial journey.

The Korea Society is excited to present this Young Professionals’ Network in partnership with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Korean Startups & Entrepreneurs (KSE) .

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1568-k-startups-empowering-the-future-of-young-entrepreneurs

March 31, 2022 - Sibling defectors from Pyongyang Seohyun Lee and Hyun-Seung Lee discuss their life in North Korea, their journey to escape, and their transition to life in the United States, alongside Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) President & CEO Hannah Song , in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado . Hyunseung and Seohyun Lee are prominent North Korean activists and siblings. They're the children of Ri Jong-ho, a high ranking North Korean defector who worked for decades in “Office 39,” which generates revenue for the North Korean leadership. Hyun-Seung and Seohyun were raised in Pyongyang, educated in China, and escaped North Korea in 2014 with their family after witnessing a series of brutal purges by Kim Jong Un. They speak to their experience as millennials from Pyongyang and share the true nature of the Kim regime and the reality of life in North Korea. The event marks the anniversary of the February 2014 publication of the historic UN Commission of Inquiry report on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

This program is made possible by the generous support from the Korea Foundation.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1548-pyonghattan-escapees-from-north-korea-s-capital

March 29, 2022 - New York Times staff writer Eric Kim grew up in Atlanta, the son of two Korean immigrants. Food has always been central to his story, from Friday-night Korean barbecue with his family to hybridized Korean-ish meals for one that he makes in his tiny New York City apartment. In his debut cookbook, Kim shares these recipes alongside insightful, touching stories and stunning images shot by photographer Jenny Huang. Playful, poignant, and vulnerable, Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home explores how new culinary traditions can be forged to honor both your past and your present.

In a conversation with Irene Yoo , Kim discusses his career in food writing and his debut cookbook.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1567-korean-american-food-that-tastes-like-home-with-eric-kim

March 22, 2022 - Womens’ Universities have emerged as premier institutions in higher education, amplifying womens’ voices from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In the fourth installation of our Womens’ Leadership Series, please join us at The Korea Society to hear from Dr. Eun Mee Kim , President of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, and Dr. Sian Leah Beilock , President of Barnard College in New York City. They will share their experiences as presidents of two eminent women's colleges with long traditions in providing the highest-quality of liberal arts education, and they will also share their visions as thought leaders in new fields, new ideas and new technologies emerging in higher education in Korea and the U.S.

The conversation will be moderated by Ambassador Kathleen Stephens , former U.S. Ambassador to Korea and Korea Society Board Chair. Thomas Byrne , President and CEO of The Korea Society will deliver special welcoming remarks.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1566-women-in-higher-education-a-discussion-with-dr-eun-mee-kim-dr-sian-leah-beilock

Recorded on Friday, March 18, 2022

March 15, 2022 marks the 10-year anniversary of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In celebration of this remarkable milestone, The Korea Society invites ROK Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo for a conversation with Korea Society President Tom Byrne .

The discussion assesses the achievements of the first decade of the KORUS FTA and the broader effects it has had on the Korea-U.S. bilateral relationship. It also examines future prospects of the two countries’ trade relationship and the deepening of the economic partnership between the two countries, while also examining the evolution of the trade architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1564-interview-with-rok-trade-minister-han-koo-yeo

March 8, 2022 - Soo Hugh , an acclaimed producer/writer and executive producer of Pachinko , one of the most anticipated drama series of 2022, talks about her career in television and the journey of adapting the bestselling novel into a series. Hugh will also be joined by Ria Tobaccowala , with whom she has launched The Thousand Miles Project , an incubator program to help bring more API stories to cinematic life and jumpstart fruitful careers in the entertainment industry.

Pachinko , which premiers on Apple TV+ in late March, is based on the international best-selling novel of the same name. Epic in scope but intimate in tone, the series chronicles the hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family. It begins with a forbidden love and crescendos into a sweeping saga that journeys between Korea, Japan and America to tell the unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning.

The Korea Society Young Professionals’ Night program consists of industry professionals who share their career experiences and advice with the audience. It provides a wonderful opportunity for networking, and all professionals seeking to expand their careers are encouraged to come.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1561-the-showrunners-with-soo-hugh-and-ria-tobaccowala

March 7, 2022 - In advance of the Republic of Korea 2022 presidential election, the eighth since Korea’s democratization, The Korea Society invites experts in Seoul for a live webcast discussion with a forecast and impact analysis. Michelle Ye Hee Lee , Seoul/Tokyo bureau chief for The Washington Post , Karl Friedhoff , Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asian Studies at The Chicago Council, Jeongmin Kim , Lead Correspondent at NK News and NK Pro , and Dr. Katrin Katz , Korea Society’s Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow, join policy director Jonathan Corrado to discuss the implications of the vote for Korea, the U.S.-ROK Alliance and relationship, inter-Korean relations, and coordination on North Korea policy.

This program is made possible by the generous support from the Korea Foundation.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1559-korea-s-presidential-election-forecast-and-impact-analysis

February 24, 2022 - A Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) Live Seminar on the New Economy of Korean Peninsula featuring Korea Society President Tom Byrne as panelist.

Date & Time: February 24th, Thursday, 08:45–16:10 (KST)

Venue: Grand Hyatt Seoul, Seoul (Online).

Sponsor: Ministry of Unification.

Full length seminar is available at KIEP's YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5AnUAeQKG8

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.kiep.go.kr/

February 23, 2022 - Join us for this discussion of Korean Smart Power, exploring opportunities and obstacles for Korea to leverage its cultural influence to advance its national interests, featuring Bernie Cho , President of DFSB Kollective, Jenna Gibson , PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, John Delury , Yonsei University Professor, and Victoria Kim , former LA Times correspondent, in discussion with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. In a wide ranging conversation spanning regions and industries, the panelists discuss the role of Seoul’s music, film, television, and education sectors in expanding Korean influence and prestige throughout its neighborhood and the world at large, as well as the impact this has for Korea’s diplomatic and geopolitical aims.

This program is made possible by the generous support from the Korea Foundation.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1552-korean-smart-power

February 17, 2022 - Riding the Korean Wave sweeping the world, the traditional Korean costumes have become increasingly visible in global media. In 2021, hanbok - the generic term referring to traditional style Korean clothing - was registered in the Oxford English Dictionary. In this comprehensive series of lectures, Dr. Minjee Kim , the preeminent scholar of Korean textile and fashion in the U.S., illustrates and elucidates hanbok in sartorial, socio-cultural, and historical contexts.

In the first lecture of the series, Dr. Kim discusses some distinctive qualities of women's hanbok in comparison with other dress traditions; terminologies of the components and their structural parts; colors, materials, and embellishments; and symbols and ideas behind design principles and ways of dress.

Minjee Kim is a historian and lecturer specializing in Korean dress and textiles, based in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2001. She received her PhD from Seoul National University, and formerly taught at Jeonju Kijeon College and Seoul National University in Korea, and Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She is a co-editor of Dress History in Korea: Critical Perspectives on Primary Sources (London: Bloomsbury, forthcoming).

YouTube video with slides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaMfaisyFlw

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1551-hanbok-a-new-lexicon-of-world-fashion-women-hanbok

February 15, 2022 - The role of medical doctors is important now more than ever in this pandemic era. The impact of influential Youtubers is also increasing, as the public heavily relies on the platform to obtain and share information. Yet it is rare to use both the titles of Doctor and Youtube creator to describe one person’s career like Dr. Jang’s.

The Korea Society is excited to welcome Dr. Ezra Hangjun Jang , Internal medicine specialist and renowned host of the Youtube channel, “Dr. Ezra Hangjun Jang ”. Dr. Jang has amassed a significant YouTube following with more than 525,000 subscribers, allowing for a substantial audience to learn crucial information from each of his videos.

Join us as we listen to Dr. Jang’s insights on educating audiences through his Youtube Channel on healthcare matters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jang will also highlight his career developments in becoming a doctor as well as a star Youtuber in the U.S.

The discussion will be led by moderator Dr. John Yoo , Pediatric Dentist of Beam City Dental and host of the popular Youtube channels, JBRO and Dr. John Yoo .

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1558-a-medical-doctor-and-youtube-influencer-in-the-pandemic-era

February 15, 2022 - Join us for the second edition in our Global View series, a discussion with Yale University Elihu Professor of History Odd Arne Westad on the subject of his book Empire and Righteous Nation: 600 Years of China-Korea Relations , hosted jointly with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP). The discussion is moderated by Korea Society Board Chair Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens , and introductions are provided by NCAFP president and CEO Ambassador (ret.) Susan Elliott and Korea Society president and CEO Tom Byrne . This program will be live webcast for a virtual audience. Please RSVP to receive the viewing link by clicking the button below. There will also be a limited in-person audience by invitation only.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1553-empire-and-righteous-nation-600-years-of-china-korea-relations

February 2, 2022 - In the midst of supply chain shortages and increasing competition, how can the US and Korea partner on critical technologies and address national security imperatives? Join for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for enhanced US-Korea tech and digital cooperation, featuring Dr. Miyeon Oh , director and senior fellow of the Asia Security Initiative in the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, and Troy Stangarone , Senior Director and Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute (KEI), in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1544-towards-a-us-korea-tech-alliance

January 6, 2022 - Join for a discussion on the future of North Korea policy, featuring: Frank Aum , senior expert on Northeast Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Dagyum Ji , journalist for The Korea Herald covering North Korea and security, and Bruce Klingner , Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado , and with an introduction by Korea Society president & CEO Tom Byrne . Following a New Year's address by North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un, the panelists discuss what's next for North Korea policy, including analysis of various diplomatic approaches, changes to the internal situation, and implications for the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1547-a-new-north-korea-policy

December 14, 2021 - Join us for this program co-hosted by The Korea Society and The National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) about the Korean Peninsula in the global perspective, featuring Walter Russell Mead , Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College. The discussion is moderated by Korea Society president & CEO Tom Byrne , with an introduction from NCAFP Board Chair Jeffrey R. Shafer .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1539-global-view-on-the-korean-peninsula

December 9, 2021 - When YouTube began sharing revenue directly with creators, an entirely new industry was born. Today, there are over 2 million creators around the world in its monetization program, building thriving businesses by sharing their own content to the worldwide audience. Among the most innovative and passionate YouTubers are those hailing from South Korea.

Neal Mohan , Chief Product Officer at YouTube discusses the rise of K-content and the new creator economy; with Park Young Sun , former minister of SMEs and Startups of Republic of Korea; Bernie Cho , President of DFSB Kollective; and Dr. Sue Mi Terry , Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy Wilson Center; moderated by Korean YouTuber Seungkug Lee .

This program is made possible by the generous support from YouTube.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1542-k-content-youth-economy-beyond

December 8, 2021 - Join us for a conversation between Mr. Hak Cheol Shin , Chief Executive Officer of LG Chem, and Tom Byrne, the President and CEO of The Korea Society. In this third episode of the ‘President’s Interview Series,’ Mr. Shin will discuss his remarkable career starting out from 3M Korea and serving as the Vice Chair at 3M headquarter in the U.S. to his current role as the CEO of LG Chem. Since Mr. Shin took office in 2019, LG Chem's market capitalization in the Korean stock market has more than doubled to 55 trillion won (US$46.6 billion) from 24 trillion won (US$20.3 billion).

This interview will provide an opportunity to learn more about Mr. Shin’s role and leadership in LG Chem’s growth during the past two years as well as the company’s ESG based expanding business portfolio and the next growth engine moving forward. This program was recorded at LG Chem headquarters in Seoul when President Byrne recently visited South Korea.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1541-interview-with-lg-chem-ceo-hak-cheol-shin

December 7, 2021 - An epic story of love, war, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Korean independence movement, Beasts of a Little Land follows the intertwined fates of a young girl sold to a courtesan school and the penniless son of a hunter. From the perfumed chambers of a courtesan school in Pyongyang to the glamorous cafes of a modernizing Seoul and the boreal forests of Manchuria, where battles rage, Juhea Kim ’s unforgettable characters forge their own destinies as they wager their nation’s. Immersive and elegant, Beasts of a Little Land unveils a world where friends become enemies, enemies become saviors, heroes are persecuted, and beasts take many shapes.

Join in the conversation with author Juhea Kim about her debut novel.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1528-beasts-of-a-little-land-with-juhea-kim

December 2, 2021 - Food writer Eric Kim is known for sharing recipes accompanied with thoughtful storytelling and reflection. At first Kim pursued academia, teaching undergraduate literature courses while working towards a PhD in American Literature at Columbia. He unexpectedly found his path to success by writing and curating content for leading publishers in food media such as Food Network, Food52, and Saveur . Today, Kim is a staff writer at the New York Times and next year he will release his highly-anticipated debut cookbook Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home . Join us as Kim reflects on his career in food journalism, multimedia content creation, and book publishing.

The Korea Society Young Professionals’ Night program consists of industry professionals who share their career experiences and advice with the audience. It provides a wonderful opportunity for networking, and all professionals seeking to expand their careers are encouraged to come.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation .

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1538-new-food-media-with-eric-kim

December 2, 2021 - Pacific Forum President Emeritus and WSD-Handa Chair in Peace Studies Ralph Cossa provides a media and member-friendly wrap-up of the year by way of politics and security on and around the Korean Peninsula, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado. A member of the ASEAN Regional Forum’s Experts and Eminent Persons Group, Cossa reflects on wider regional trends as well, to include Korea’s dealing with China-US tensions and US-Korea cooperation in condemning the Myanmar coup.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1518-thinking-northeast-asia-the-year-in-review

Korea Society Inaugural Van Fleet Policy Signature Event

November 17, 2021 - Former Ambassador and Admiral Harry Harris , UNC/CFC/USFK Commander General Robert Abrams , Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift will sit down with Korea Society Board Director and former UNC/CFC/USFK Commander General Walter “Skip” Sharp for a discussion exploring Northeast Asia geopolitical and Korean Peninsula security and diplomatic opportunities and challenges from the perspectives of the longstanding ROK - U.S. Alliance. Featuring introductory remarks by Young Woon Kong , President of the Strategic Planning Division of Hyundai Motor Group. Limited in-person audience by invitation, and live webcast.

The Korea Society is grateful to Premium Sponsor Hyundai Motor Company for its generous support of The Inaugural Van Fleet Policy Signature Event.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1516-u-s-diplomacy-and-security-in-korea-2021

November 15, 2021 - Candid analysis from Former Members of Congress on the upcoming US Midterms Elections. How will it impact the Congressional legislative agenda in terms of domestic and foreign policy? What will their foreign trade and security priorities be? How can the US work with allies and partners such as The Republic of Korea? This program is produced in partnership between the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) and The Korea Society. Featuring the Hon. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 2013-2019), the Hon. Mike Bishop (R-MI, 2015-2019), and the Hon. L.F. Payne (D-VA, 1988-1997).

November 12, 2021 - Join us as Seung-yoon Lee , CEO, and Co-Founder of Radish Fiction, shares “lessons learned” from his years of experience in media innovation. Before taking on his current position as the Global Strategy Officer at Kakao Entertainment, he founded Radish Fiction, serialized fiction app bringing curated premium, and original stories to readers everywhere, and Byline, the world's leading crowdfunded journalism platform. Seung-yoon was also recognized as one of the inaugural members of Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia.

Next-generation entrepreneurs, fiction lovers, members, and friends of The Korea Society and Korea Finance Society are all invited to this discussion moderated by Mark Kim from the Korea Finance Society. Following the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, we will have limited in-person capacity. The registration for in-person attendance will be first-come, first-served basis. The session will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person or prefer to participate virtually.

The Korea Society is excited to present this session of the Young Professionals’ Network series in partnership with the Korea Finance Society (KFS). KFS seeks to build a community to promote the advancement of Korean and Korean-American financial professionals in the United States through networking, education, and mentorship. We are dedicated to providing a platform for sharing expertise among Korean financial professionals, as well as educational and career programs for young Korean financial professionals and college students to maximize their opportunities for career success.

This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1534-lessons-learned-with-ceo-co-founder-of-radish-fiction-seung-yoon-lee