The Korea Society

April 19, 2024 - This program examines shifts in South Korea’s foreign policy posture, featuring insights and analysis from Dr. Kuyoun Chung, Assistant professor of the Department of Political Science at the Kangwon National University. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration aims to transform Korea into a “Global Pivotal State.” How has Seoul pursued this objective despite complex geopolitical and economic challenges? How does Korea navigate diplomatic relations in a tense region that is increasingly impacted by strategic competition between autocracies and democracies? Using survey data, Dr. Chung reveals how the South Korean public understands their country’s place in the world, including its allies, threats, and opportunities, in conversation with policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1811-quick-take-south-korea-s-new-foreign-policy-and-public-opinion-with-dr-kuyoun-chung

April 18, 2024 - Join us for a book talk with authors Professor Victor Cha and Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo, who discuss their new book, Korea: A New History of South and North with policy director Jonathan Corrado. The Korea Society is proud to be a stop on the famous pink book tour! This important new work of history draws on “decades of research to explore the history of modern Korea, from the late nineteenth century, Japanese occupation, and Cold War division to the present day. This comprehensive history sheds light on the evolving identities of the two Koreas, explaining the sharp differences between North and South, and prospects for unification." You can purchase the book here.  For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1761-korea-new-history-of-south-and-north-with-victor-cha-and-ramon-pacheco-pardo

April 11, 2024 - Join us for a rapid reaction analysis of the Republic of Korea’s high stakes 2024 legislative election, held in South Korea one day prior on April 10. This election could shift the control of power in the National Assembly, resulting in an emboldened electoral mandate for President Yoon Suk Yeol, or else creating a new challenge for his administration’s agenda. In this conversation with Korea Society policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre, Stanford University’s Professor Dr. Gi-Wook Shin explores the implications of the election for: Korea’s political, economic, and social policy; its relations with its Alliance partner the United States, and regional states, such as North Korea, China, and Japan.  For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1772-rapid-reaction-unpacking-the-korean-election

April 9, 2024 - Join us for a conversation about recovering lost ground in the international effort to address North Korea’s human rights violations, featuring: Ambassador Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, James Heenan, UN Human Rights Office representative in Seoul, Dr. Katrin Katz, Korea Society Van Fleet Senior Fellow, and Sean Chung, CEO of HanVoice, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado. The United Nations Human Rights Council published its landmark report of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ten years ago. That report documented “systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights” in North Korea. But the international effort to ensure accountability, involving U.S. coordination with allies such as the Republic of Korea and through the United Nations, is only just beginning. The U.S. State Department describes credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, total state control of expression and media through censorship, severe restrictions on political participation, gender-based violence, and the worst forms of child labor. A Korean American adoptee with twenty years of diplomatic experience, Ambassador Julie Turner said, “The human rights situation in the DPRK is one of the most protracted human rights crises in the world,” in her testimony to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. This discussion explores issues impacting refugees, information distribution, separated family reunions, pathways to practical progress, North Korean human rights success stories, the connection between the regime’s human rights abuses and its weapons programs, and the nexus of humanitarian assistance and human rights. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1813-recapturing-lost-ground-on-north-korean-human-rights-with-ambassador-julie-turner

April 3, 2024 - Darye–"etiquette for tea" or "tea rite"– has been an integral part of Korean history and culture for over a thousand years. Donghyun Kim, a Korean heritage curator, discusses the history of tea practices and aesthetics in Korea and the landscape of contemporary Korean tea culture. YouTube version with images can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sRVfQpAmJg For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1797-the-philosophy-of-korean-tea

April 2, 2024 - Join us for a discussion with the Senior Washington Correspondent for Bloomberg News Saleha Mohsin on her newly released book Paper Soldiers: How the Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order, in cooperation with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP). As the global order continues to evolve, it seems that the dollar’s dominance may find itself waning for the first time in 70 years. In a world dividing into two camps, one led by China and the other by the U.S, Mohsin investigates America's strong dollar policy and how it has shaped the world order, the effects of America's heavy-handed sanctions on its adversaries, and how American allies like South Korea view the dollar in today's global financial system. The conversation will be moderated by former CBS White House Correspondent and NCAFP Board Member, Jacqueline Adams. Purchase the book here For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1810-paper-soldiers-how-the-weaponization-of-the-dollar-changed-the-world-order

March 27, 2024 - In her intimate and touching debut, Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History, journalist Margaret Juhae Lee uncovers her family’s lost history that had been buried in the darkness of Korea’s colonial decades. Growing up in Houston, Margaret Juhae Lee was never told about her grandfather, Lee Chul Ha. His memory was submerged in 1936 Korea, when Lee Chul Ha died a disgraced communist rebel, leaving Margaret's grandmother widowed with their two young sons. To his surviving family Lee Chul Ha was a criminal. As an act of unearthing her own identity, Margaret needed to understand why. Margaret began investigating the truth of her grandfather’s story. After many trips to Korea, she located her grandfather’s interrogation records, and began a series of long-form interviews with her grandmother. Through her research, Margaret discovered an extraordinary young man, Lee Chul Ha – a student revolutionary imprisoned in 1929 for protesting the Japanese government’s colonization of Korea. Lee Chul Ha was a hero and eventually honored as a Patriot of South Korea almost 60 years after his death. With this new knowledge came Margaret’s realization that her grandmother had old wounds she needed to heal. Starry Field weaves together Margaret’s family story against the backdrop of Korea’s tumultuous modern history, with a powerful question at its heart. Can we ever separate ourselves from our family’s past—and if the answer is yes, should we? In her conversation with Grace M. Cho, Margaret Juhae Lee discusses her memoir. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1784-starry-field-with-margaret-juhae-lee-and-grace-m-cho

March 25, 2024 - The Korea Society is delighted to present Colloquy: Translating Korean Poetry, featuring five poets and translators –Stine An, Eunice Lee, Seo Jung Hak, Megan Sungyoon, and Soje– for an evening of poetry reading and conversation. Colloquy: Translators in Conversation is an event series presented by World Poetry Books in collaboration with Montez Press Radio and a partnering New York City institution. Since 2022, Colloquy event series provides a forum for translators to engage with live audiences in an exploration of the art of translation. Each Colloquy event presents a group of two to four translators of recently published works (or works-in-progress) for short readings and moderated conversations, followed by Q&A’s with the audience. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1794-colloquy-translating-korean-poetry

March 20, 2024 - Explore insights into the dynamics of the U.S.-ROK economic relations and the critical issues impacting trade and investment between the two nations in our inaugural program, “The Dynamic U.S.-ROK Trade and Investment Relationship: Current Issues and Prospects” kicking off the new series, U.S.-ROK New Economic Paradigm. Join a distinguished panel of experts consisting of the Hon. Diane Farrell, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade at the United States Department of Commerce, Mr. Frank Ahrens, Principal of BGR Group, and Dr. Hyun-jung Je, President & Chief Representative of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) Washington DC Office, in conversation with The Korea Society’s President & CEO Tom Byrne. Each speaker brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the discussion, offering insightful perspectives on foreign investment in the U.S., investment-friendly U.S. states, and how U.S.-Korea economic relations might be shaped by the upcoming US Presidential election. This program will be recorded at The Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1809-the-dynamic-u-s-rok-trade-and-investment-relationship-current-issues-and-prospects

March 15, 2024 - Please join us for a timely discussion on the Republic of Korea’s membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, featuring the ROK Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Joonkook HWANG, in conversation with Korea Society President and CEO Thomas Byrne. The Republic of Korea, which has a special history and bond with the United Nations, aims to actively contribute to world peace and security and fulfill the expectations of the international community during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. This event will offer a valuable opportunity for the audience to gain insights into Ambassador Hwang’s perspective on the ROK’s vision for its Security Council activities, highlighting its interests and priorities among more than 60 regional and thematic agenda items on the Council. Moreover, Ambassador Hwang is anticipated to address the current status and future prospects of the Korean Peninsula, including recent changes and implications of North Korea’s nuclear and inter-Korean policies. This event will also serve as a platform for shedding light on new Security Council dynamics in recent years amidst ongoing global geopolitical changes, in particular the enhanced roles of non-permanent Council members, referred to as the Elected 10. This event is co-hosted by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) and features introductory remarks by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jeffrey R. Shafer.  For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1807-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-un-security-council-with-rok-permanent-representative-to-the-united-nations-ambassador-joonkook-hwang

March 13, 2024 - Like the foundational role of butter in French cooking or olive oil in Italian cuisine, jangs stand as the cornerstone of Korean cooking, infusing every dish with a symphony of flavors and complexity. Chef Mingoo Kang, often referred to as South Korea’s best chef, invites readers on a gastronomic journey in Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking to discover the deceptively simple, yet utterly unique and complex Korean sauces that have been near secret ingredients until now. Chef Kang is celebrated for his dedication to the exploration of jangs at his two-Michelin star restaurant, Mingles, in South Korea. In his new book, he demystifies the art of cooking with these soulful sauces through 60 home-cook-friendly recipes that showcase the versatility and depth of the umami-rich flavors in both Korean and Western preparations. In addition to providing delicious preparations and flavor notes customized for home kitchens, Jang delves into the history and methods behind the three jangs—ganjang, doenjang, and gochujang. Jang is not merely a cookbook but a timeless addition to every culinary enthusiast's collection, bridging cultures through the universal language of exquisite flavor. Chef Kang and his two co-authors, Joshua David Stein and Nadia Cho, discuss jang, Korean food, and their new cookbook with moderator Juliana Sohn. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1804-jang-the-soul-of-korean-cooking

March 11, 2024 - In this program of our Young Professionals’ Network series, The Korea Society, in partnership with the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), hosted a panel discussion focused on the pursuit of a career in law. Our panel comprises four experienced legal professionals: Karen Kim, Senior Counsel at QBE North America and President of AABANY; Judge Judy Kim, Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in the New York State Supreme Court; and Brian Song, Litigation Partner at BakerHostetler. The conversation will be moderated by Dami Park, Director of Business & Legal Affairs at Concord Music Group. Join us to gain valuable insights into the diverse paths of success in the legal profession from our accomplished panel. Through engaging narratives and an opportunity for networking, uncover inspiration and practical guidance to navigate your path to success in law. This discussion will be held in-person at The Korea Society on March 7th at 6:30 PM. Light refreshments will be available for those in attendance. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1793-legal-career-insights-a-panel-discussion

March 6, 2024 - Join us for this conversation about prospects for Korean Unification with Jeongmin Kim, Lead Correspondent at NK News / Editorial Director at Korea Pro, Dr. Lee Sang-shin, director of the Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy at Korea Institute of National Unification (KINU), and Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. This panel will explore recent policy shifts towards unification in South Korea under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and in North Korea announced by Chairman Kim Jong Un at the ninth plenary meeting of the eighth central committee of the ruling Workers' Party. What are the consequences of Kim’s announcement that North Korea’s long standing policy goal of unification (one nation, two systems) will be dropped? The expert panel will also discuss changing public opinion in South Korea, including demographic and ideological splits in policy preferences for the future of the Korean Peninsula. Plus, in addition to discussing the well-understood challenges and obstacles to practically embarking on a process of unification, the panel will cover some of the potential benefits of Unification, including demographic, sociocultural, geopolitical, and economic factors. The promotional partner for this program is Columbia University’s APEC Study Center. For more information, please visit the link below: https://koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1780-korean-unification-a-fading-prospect

March 4, 2024 - Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, the first book in a powerful young adult dystopian duology, is a groundbreaking exploration of personal identity, and the future of the world as we know it. The winner of the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award, the novel has been translated into English by Joungmin Lee Comfort, introducing a new readership to this cutting-edge commentary on climate change, socioeconomic inequality, and personal identity. Set in a frozen world, only the residents of Snowglobe have it all: fame, fortune, and, above all, safety from the bitter cold. Outside the domed city, citizens must face the –50-degree Fahrenheit temperatures to produce the energy that Snowglobe needs to run. Their only solace comes in the form of television programming developed from the 24/7 filming of those who live in Snowglobe. When Snowglobe’s biggest star and newly-minted weather announcer, Haeri, is found dead, look-alike Chobahm must take her place, getting the opportunity of a lifetime to join the residents inside. But she soon discovers that the society she’s idolized is hiding a frozen and dangerous heart. Snowglobe is a powerful and layered thrill ride containing a myriad of plot twists and a shocking ending that will keep readers eagerly awaiting its sequel. Join us for a conversation with the author and translator, moderated by Kat Cho, as they discuss the English publication of Snowglobe. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1782-snowglobe-with-soyoung-park-and-joungmin-lee-comfort

February 28, 2024 - Navigating the uncertainties of quitting an established career to venture into entrepreneurship is a common challenge for many aspiring startup founders. The question of when to take that leap adds another layer of complexity to the journey. To shed light on these dilemmas, we invite you to join our conversation with Curtis Lee, a seasoned startup founder, currently serving as the VP of Global Payments and Cash at Microsoft. Curtis embarked on his entrepreneurial path by founding Luxe, a premium valet and auto-concierge system, in 2013. After Luxe’s successful acquisition to Volvo Group, Curtis returned to the entrepreneurial arena with the launch of Pinwheel, a fintech specializing in payroll API, in 2021. During this discussion, Curtis will share the intricacies of how he charted his entrepreneurial path, strategically navigating tech giants, startups, and investment firms, to fulfill his aspirations. Additionally, Curtis will impart how his firsthand founding experience has transformed him into a more emphatic investor, particularly for early-stage startups in their foundational phases. Moderated by CeFaan Kim, correspondent for ABC News. This program is supported by Hanwha Life For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1781-charting-entrepreneurial-paths-curtis-lee-from-luxe-to-pinwheel-and-beyond

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