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The General James A. Van Fleet Award, given annually since 1995 by The Korea Society, is awarded “to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.” It is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of U.S.–Korea relations.
The award is named for General James A. Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army at the height of the Korean War in 1951. Beginning in 1957, General Van Fleet served as the first president of The Korea Society.
The award is formally presented to the recipient each year at The Korea Society’s annual dinner.
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 2008 JAMES A. VAN FLEET AWARD DON OBERDORFER Chairman U.S.–Korea Institute School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Johns Hopkins University CITATION Over a distinguished career in journalism spanning nearly four decades, including a quarter century as a White House correspondent, Northeast Asia correspondent, and diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post, Don Oberdorfer has established an unparalleled reputation as one of the leading American experts on Korea.
Don Oberdorfer is universally acclaimed for his thoughtful, thorough, and meticulous analysis of the diplomatic and strategic issues defining the relationship between the United States and the Korean peninsula, with a particular focus on the tensions and dramatic changes of the last quarter-century. His highly praised book, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, offers a lucid, balanced, and dramatic account of the major developments on both sides of the armistice line. This magisterial work is a model of the indispensable guidance Don Oberdorfer has provided to American policy makers and the general public alike. It has become the standard by which other contemporary histories of Korea will be judged.
Few Americans have done more than Don Oberdorfer to raise awareness of developments on the Korean peninsula or to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the background and context of U.S. Korea relations. These contributions testify eloquently to his unswerving, lifelong commitment to honest and independent inquiry. As the first journalist selected for this recognition, it is my great pleasure and honor to welcome Don Oberdorfer to the ranks of the distinguished recipients of the James A. Van Fleet Award.
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 2008 JAMES A. VAN FLEET AWARD PEACE CORPS KOREA VOLUNTEERS CITATION Many Americans have dedicated themselves to the cause of U.S.–Korea friendship over the years. Few Americans have done more for this cause than the approximately 2,500 men and women who served as Peace Corps volunteers in Korea from 1966 to 1981. Answering their country’s call, these Americans gave two years of their lives to work in Korea during an era when the idea of Korea as a modern democracy and a world-class economy was only a dream in the minds of visionaries.
The Peace Corps Korea volunteers shared with Koreans from all walks of life their skills and their spirit of sacrifice. Traveling to a foreign land, they were determined to contribute to its development and did so in a way that is still remembered and appreciated on both sides of the Pacific. The volunteers shared their talents and knowledge with newfound friends in Korea, and in doing so they developed a deep appreciation for Korea’s culture and language as well as a strong affection for the Korean people.
Today, many Koreans speak of the profound educational and personal impact the Peace Corps volunteers had on them. And today, those volunteers continue to distinguish themselves in government, academia, and business, carrying with them and spreading to others the deep feelings for Korea that have helped make fast the bonds that link our two peoples. The Korea Society is pleased to honor the selfless dedication these Americans showed in support of U.S.–Korea relations by bestowing a 2008 James A. Van Fleet Award on the veterans of the Peace Corps Korea program. It is a special honor to have The Honorable Kevin O’Donnell, the first country director of the Peace Corps Korea program, accept the award on behalf of all those who served America–and Korea–so well as Peace Corps Korea volunteers.
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 2007 VAN FLEET AWARD KIM DAE-JUNG 15th President of the Republic of Korea CITATION Looking back over the more than 60 years that have passed since the end of World War II, two diplomatic achievements in East Asia stand out clearly as towering events of lasting importance. The first of these is the U.S. opening to China in 1972, and the second is the Pyongyang Summit in 2000 between President Kim Dae-jung and Chairman Kim Jong-il. The Pyongyang Summit came as the culmination of President Kim's lifelong efforts to establish democracy in South Korea, and his determination to initiate the arduous process of forging reconciliation between North and South Korea through his Sunshine Policy. As is often the case with truly epochal events, it has been difficult for both Koreans and Americans to place the Pyongyang Summit in its proper historical perspective. With the passage of time, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that this epochal event was the "tipping point" for all the Korean people, starting a process of North-South reconciliation that is now seen as inevitable. The Van Fleet Award has been awarded to two former American presidents, and it is only fitting that today a former Korean president is being added to the list of its recipients. It is particularly noteworthy that this award is being made in conjunction with a commemoration of President Kim's acceptance of the 2000 Nobel Peace prize "for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular." Therefore, in recognition of his unparalleled and innumerable lifelong contributions toward building a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, on behalf of The Korea Society, it is my great honor and distinct pleasure to present the Van Fleet Award to President Kim Dae-jung. This award was presented on December 7, 2006 at A Night of Peace on the Korean Peninsula, a dinner commemorating Kim Dae-jung's receipt of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize held at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul. |
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 2007 VAN FLEET AWARD Houghton and Doreen Freeman THE FREEMAN FOUNDATION Citation To properly convey the scope, magnitude and impact of the Freeman Foundation’s charitable contributions, The Korea Society can only seek to act as a voice for the countless scholars, students, scientists, colleges, universities and research institutions scattered all over the United States and Asia that have been beneficiaries of the great generosity of the Freeman family.
Through their deep knowledge of Asia, their energy and strong sense of discernment, Houghton and Doreen Freeman have built an extraordinary network of beneficent exchanges that have a truly global impact. Their efforts have been focused consistently on the Foundation’s basic goals for improved relations between the U.S. and Asia, which were initially articulated by Houghton’s father Mansfield Freeman: “to strengthen the bonds of friendship, to develop greater appreciation and to stimulate an exchange of ideas.”
The Korea Society has been generously supported by the Freeman Foundation since 1993. This sustained support has played an integral role in the development of our most significant programs. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, it is entirely appropriate to thank the Freeman family for what they have done for us, as well as for what they have done for countless others seeking to strengthen international understanding between Asia and the United States.
General James A. Van Fleet, for whom this award is named, saw Korea in its darkest hour. Yet he sensed the latent potential of Korea and its people, and he envisioned what the relations between the United States and Korea could become with greater support and understanding. The Freeman family, in countless ways, has contributed magnificently to the development of U.S.–Korea relations as well as to Americans’ understanding of Asia as a whole. In doing so, they have provided all of us with an important and inspiring legacy.
For all of these contributions, I am delighted to present the James A. Van Fleet Award to Houghton and Doreen Freeman.
Photograph © 2006, Paul Rogers, Stowe, VT |
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