2002 VAN FLEET AWARD

HORACE G. UNDERWOOD

Trustee

Yonsei University

CITATION

No living American can match Horace G. Underwood's unique and continuing contributions to Korea and to U.S.-Korea relations. Born in Korea, the son and grandson of Presbyterian missionaries, Underwood  has, throughout his life and in many capacities, worked to enhance Korean higher education. In 1939, following his education at Hamilton College and New York University, Underwood returned to Seoul and taught English at Chosen Christian College, which is now known as Yonsei University. Interned by the Japanese occupiers of Korea in 1941, Underwood was repatriated to the United States in 1942, when he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Korean and Japanese language officer in the Pacific.

Following the surrender of Japan, Underwood was assigned to the U.S. Military Government in Korea, and was instrumental in forming Seoul National University out of a multiplicity of existing Japanese institutions. In 1947, he returned to Yonsei University, where he served until the North Korean attack in June 1950. Underwood rejoined the U.S. Navy and served throughout the Korean War. He was often decorated for his service and received the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit among other decorations. From July 1951 to 1953, Underwood served as senior interpreter for the armistice negotiations at Panmunjom.

Following completion of his graduate work in 1955, Underwood returned to Yonsei University where he served as a professor of education and later as head of the university library. Yonsei University's emergence as a leader in the field of international education in Korea is directly attributable to Underwood's tireless efforts. He remains active to this day in his service to the university, and is a beloved figure on the campus.

Underwood has been involved in countless other educational and social activities as well, including the Fulbright program, the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Korean American Association and the Seoul USO. In 2001, Underwood was given the U.S. Department of Defense medal for distinguished public service in recognition of his decades of outstanding service.

In presenting the Van Fleet Award to Underwood tonight, I am struck by the fact that he is the only recipient who has had direct contact with General James A. Van Fleet. That makes the presentation of this award to him all the more appropriate and special, as does the fact that today happens to be Horace Underwood's 85^th birthday!

2001 VAN FLEET AWARD

KIM KYUNG WON

President

Institute of Social Sciences

Republic of Korea

 CITATION

Over the past quarter century, Kim Kyung Won has made an indispensable contribution to the Republic of Korea's stunning rise to political prominence in Northeast Asia. Born in North Korea, Kim escaped to the South as a 15 year-old boy in 1950. Educated at Williams College and Harvard University, Kim left a comfortable, tenured position at New York University to return to Korea in 1971.

After four years of teaching at Korea University, Kim was appointed as a foreign affairs advisor to President Park Chung Hee. He served continuously at Blue House from 1975 to 1982, one of the most difficult eras in the modern history of Korea, encompassing President Park's assassination, the coup of General Chun Doo Hwan, the Kwangju massacre, and the arrest and death sentence of President Kim Dae-jung. During this period when U.S.-Korea relations were often strained by all these momentous events, Kim's voice and influence played a key, behind-the-scenes role in enabling solutions to be found and crises to be avoided.

From 1982 to 1988, Kim served brilliantly in the United States, first as chief of the Republic of Korea's Mission to the United Nations, and then as the Republic of Korea's ambassador in Washington. After his retirement from government service in 1988, Kim has served in a wide variety of private and public positions, all focused on foreign affairs. His influence has been, and remains a constant, positive ingredient in the shaping of relations between Seoul and Washington.

Kim's life exemplifies what the Van Fleet Award stands for, and he becomes one of its most distinguished recipients.

2000 VAN FLEET AWARD

JIMMY CARTER

39^th President of the United States of America 

presented by

 KIM DAE-JUNG

President of the Republic of Korea

CITATION

In early summer 1994, a serious military crisis with nuclear implications was developing on the Korean Peninsula. Misunderstandings and mutual suspicions abounded between Seoul and Pyongyang, the rhetoric was heated, and the United States was preparing to increase its forces in South Korea and to impose additional sanctions on the North. Tensions were extremely high, with North Korean officials speaking of turning Seoul into a "sea of fire."

President Jimmy Carter wisely chose that moment to activate a standing invitation to visit North Korea, where the late President Kim Il Sung warmly welcomed him. Their extended conversation led to a defusing of the crisis. President Carter's report of his conversation with President Kim signaled to officials in Washington that North Korea desired improved relations with the United States, and that Pyongyang was willing to place its potentially dangerous nuclear power program under international safeguards. The U.S.-North Korea Agreed Framework was negotiated in the fall of 1994, and remains a central part of ongoing efforts to build a new and constructive relationship with Pyongyang.

Without President Carter's courageous and decisive actions in 1994, President Kim Dae-jung's diplomatic breakthrough in Pyongyang earlier this year might not have been possible. It is thus highly appropriate that President Kim Dae-jung personally present the Van Fleet Award to President Carter on this highly auspicious occasion.

1999 VAN FLEET AWARD

WILLIAM J. PERRY

Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State
for U.S.-North Korea Policy Review

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense

CITATION

In 1998, having capped an outstanding career in public service by serving with distinction as U.S. Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry was asked by President Clinton to undertake a definitive review of U.S.-North Korea policy. This difficult and highly contentious policy had become the center of more acrimony and disarray than any issue since the Vietnam War.

Perry brought to this policy review the thoughtfulness, intelligence and integrity that have marked his entire career. He traveled extensively and consulted in detail with all of the concerned parties in the region, including the government of North Korea. The report that bears his name has now emerged as a highly respected blueprint for undertaking the extremely sensitive task of dealing with North Korea, and bringing long-range peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula.

In conducting this review, and constructing a blueprint for peace, Perry's efforts have perfectly embodied the spirit of the James A. Van Fleet Award. Perry's acceptance of this award increases its luster, and all those present on this occasion join in extending to Perry our congratulations and thanks for his outstanding service to the United States and the Northeast Asian region.