2025 K-Wall St. Platform

The Maekyung Media Group, The Korea Society and Korea Finance Society are co-hosting its annual mentorship program, K-Wall St. Platform. The K-Wall St. Platform invites well-seasoned Korean-American experts with extensive backgrounds in banking and investing to provide career-building opportunities to young, prospective Korean financiers with ambitions for a Wall Street career. Taking place concurrently with the 2025 Global Financial Leaders Forum, this event is carefully crafted to cater to a select group of entry-level applicants who have undergone a thorough screening process to ensure a high-quality experience.

This is an invitation-only event.

 

2025 K-Wall St. Platform

The Korea Society
350 Madison Ave., 24th floor, New York, NY 10017

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 9 AM – 12 PM 

 

 


Mentors:

Jason Oh, Senior Associate, Permira (Private Equity)

Tony Oh, Senior Associate, Citi (Investment Banking)

Jason Yoo, Investment Analyst, Briarwood Chase Management (Hedge Fund)

Jiwon Choi, Analyst, Morgan Stanley Tactical Value (Special Situation Investing)


Revisiting the Jones Act: From Protectionism to Partnership

The United States and Korea are entering a pivotal phase of maritime cooperation. Since the start of the Trump 2.0 administration, South Korean shipbuilders have been courted as key partners in reviving the U.S. shipbuilding industry, with Seoul pledging $150 billion under the “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative to modernize naval capacity, expand commercial shipyards, and strengthen allied supply chains.

Join us for a timely conversation with Colin Grabow (Cato Institute) as we explore how to steer this new bilateral framework toward mutual maritime and economic prosperity. At the heart of the discussion is the Jones Act, the 1920 law mandating domestically built and owned vessels for U.S. coastal trade. Together, we will consider whether reforms to the Act—or innovative partnership models—can unlock the full potential of U.S.–Korea maritime collaboration. This conversation will be moderated by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society.


 

Revisiting the Jones Act: From Protectionism to Partnership

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

 


About the Speaker

Colin Grabow is an Associate Director at the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies where his research focuses on domestic forms of trade protectionism such as the Jones Act and the U.S. sugar program.

His writings have been published in a number of outlets, including USA Today, The Hill, National Review, and the Wall Street Journal.

Prior to joining the Cato Institute, he performed political and economic analysis for a Japan-based trading and investment firm and published research and analysis for an international affairs consulting firm with a focus on U.S.-Asia relations.

Grabow holds a BA in international affairs from James Madison University and an MA in international trade and investment policy from George Washington University.

 

Alternative Investments LP–GP Network Forum

As part of the New York Korean Financial Forum, The Korea Society, Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York co-hosted the Alternative Investments LP–GP Network Forum on September 29, 2025, at The Korea Society in New York.

The forum welcomed nearly 90 Korean and Korean-American professionals in the investment field, offering a valuable platform to strengthen LP–GP networks and communication in alternative investments.

 

Speakers included:

  •     ♦  Chanwoong Park: Head of Americas PE Team, National Pension Service

  •     ♦  Jeff Chang: Managing Director, NYU Endowment

  •     ♦  Young Lee: Co-President, Audax

  •     ♦  Michel Choe: CEO, Charlesbank

The panel discussion highlighted the importance of transparency, collaboration, and partner engagement in LP–GP relationships, along with strategies to strengthen them. Following the panel, participants joined a networking session, sharing meaningful conversations and forging new connections that further advanced the goals of the New York Korean Financial Forum.

 


Alternative Investments LP–GP Network Forum

Monday, September 29, 2025

 

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

 

 


Highlights from Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live | 2026 Startup Scene Annual Forum

Event Recap 

Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live 

The Korea Society has successfully hosted the Startup Scene’s 2026 annual forum: “Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live,” supported exclusively by Hanwha Life, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. This year’s forum celebrated pioneering entrepreneurs who energize the business landscape with their innovative approaches, alongside accelerators and investors who empower their progress. The forum was opened with remarks by Michael Burke (Head of International Network Management, Citi’s Banking & International Organization), Dr. Abraham Kim (President and CEO, The Korea Society) and joined by Dr. Jinwoo Hwang (Senior Executive Vice President) of Hanwha Life and Sangho Kim (Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York) with a special address.

The forum officially kicked off with a fireside chat with keynote speaker, Steve Jang, Founder and Managing Partner of Kindred Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on software, Internet, and deep-technology investing. Joined by Dr. Abraham Kim (President & CEO, The Korea Society), Steve spoke on his investment philosophy and opportunities in the new wave of AI innovation.

With five panel sessions, the forum focused on topics surrounding innovation synergy, exploring how investment, corporations, and the greater startup community can come together to celebrate the successes of startups. Exclusive insights from BCI experts and innovators were demonstrated by Dr. Min Kyung Lee (Assistant Professor; UT Austin School of Information) and Peter Yoo (Senior Director, Neuroscience & Algorithms; Synchron).

Tim Hwang (Co-Founder and CEO, Nitra) discussed the current fintech investment landscape and Nitra’s wedge-in strategy with Dorothy Chang (Venture Partner, Fybridge).

SY Lee (CEO and Co-Founder, Story Protocol) and David Park (Managing Partner, Warren Equity Partners, Founding Member, Digital Storytelling Lab of Columbia University) discussed how data ownership and rights are becoming a critical chokepoint in AI development.

Hyunsun Ahn (@Ahnstoppable_tech), Taeyong Kim (CEO, EO), Ryan Cheah (Founder, The 21st), and Sho Young Shin (Director of Platform, ERA) shared how the next generation of entrepreneurs can leverage AI to build distinctive brand identities and navigate an increasingly competitive and fast-moving market landscape.

Chang (CK) Kim (Founder & CEO, Saywise), Kirak Hong (Co-founder and CTO, Sandbar), and Dorothy Chang (Venture Partner, Flybridge) took a look at how AI startups are transforming everyday experiences across productivity and commerce.

The forum concluded with closing remarks, followed by a networking reception with refreshments and hor d’oeuvres. Attendees were able to interact via networking opportunities throughout the forum and during the reception, elevating the forum as a platform for connectivity and inspiration.

The Korea Society in Georgia: Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative Comes to Atlanta

Event Recap

The Korea Society in Georgia: Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative Comes to Atlanta

The Korea Society recently brought its Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative (CCLI) to Atlanta through two complementary programs focused on one increasingly important question: 

“What does it take to turn Korean investment in America into successful, well-integrated organizations and communities?”

The U.S.–Korea Workforce Strategy Summit, co-hosted with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce (SEUSKCC), with support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta, brought together approximately 100 business, government, workforce, academic, and community leaders. The following day, The Korea Society and KOTRA Atlanta convened a smaller, invitation-only Executive Leadership Roundtable for senior representatives of Korean companies and key community and business leaders.

Across both conversations, one message stood out: 

“The next phase of Korean investment will depend not only on capital and facilities, but on people, leadership, local relationships, and institutional trust.”

What We Heard in Atlanta

Build a “Third Culture”

Korean companies operating in the United States cannot simply transfer headquarters practices to American workplaces—or expect an American model to emerge on its own. Participants emphasized the importance of intentionally developing a shared “third culture” through leadership, communication, training, and adaptation to local conditions.

Prepare People, Not Just Positions

Workforce integration begins before recruitment ends. Participants highlighted the importance of preparing both expatriate managers and local employees to work effectively across cultures, clarifying expectations around authority, feedback, decision-making, and autonomy, and strengthening communication between Korean headquarters and U.S. operations.

Trust and Autonomy Matter

The discussion highlighted how differences in management style can affect engagement, collaboration, and retention. Participants shared examples suggesting that trust, empowerment, and two-way communication can be critical to building effective Korean-American teams.

Community Integration Is a Business Strategy

The conversation extended beyond the workplace. Participants emphasized that Korean companies need to become visible, active members of the communities where they operate—not simply investors creating jobs. Sustained relationships with civic organizations, schools, chambers, and local institutions can strengthen trust and contribute to workforce recruitment, retention, and organizational reputation.

The Conversation Continues

The CCLI events in Atlanta pointed toward a clear next step: moving from informal adaptation and goodwill to a more deliberate approach to cross-cultural leadership, workforce integration, local leadership, and community engagement. Participants emphasized the need for measurable training and retention efforts, empowered local leaders, and sustained community engagement tied to business priorities.

These insights will help inform the continued development of The Korea Society’s Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative (CCLI)—a national initiative designed to strengthen the leadership capabilities, workforce integration, cultural competence, and community relationships that support Korean companies operating in the United States.

“Investment builds the foundation.
People and relationships make it work.”

The Korea Society thanks our partners, speakers, participants, and community leaders who joined us in Atlanta and contributed to this important conversation.

 Our special thanks to:

  • Ambassador Joon Ho Lee, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta
  • Scott Snyder, President & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America
  • Tami Overby, Partner, Dentons Global Advisors
  • Eugene Kim, Professor, Scheller College of Business, Georgia Tech
  • Steven Jahng, Vice President, Hyundai Motor Group
  • SungJoon Ahn, General Director, KOTRA Atlanta
  • Jean Kim, President, SEUSKCC

Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth

This edition of Startup Scene will explore one of venture capital’s most elusive forces: momentum. As the landscape rapidly shifts—from the rise and retreat of web3 and blockchain to today’s explosive AI wave—both founders and investors face a critical question: how do you tell the difference between short-lived hype and the kind of transformative momentum that drives lasting impact?

Join us for an exclusive presentation featuring three distinguished investors – Bryan Kim (Andreessen Horowitz), Mike Kim (Third Prime), and Karen Moon (Node Innovation Ventures) – as they each share their distinct investment philosophies and portfolio strategies. Together, their talk will offer a wide range of views into today’s ever-evolving startup landscape: from AI emerging technologies, to cross-border investments, and to innovations in consumer platforms. 

The conversation will be moderated by Danny Crichton (Lux Capital). 


 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life


 

Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)


The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

 


About the Speakers:

 

Bryan Kim (“BK”) is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he invests primarily in consumer AI applications. He is particularly interested in how AI is reshaping consumer experiences across core themes such as productivity (ElevenLabs, Cluely, Raspberry), consumer health (Function Health, Slingshot AI), creation (Captions, Civit.ai, Glif, Viggle), and connection (BeReal, Partiful).

He is also actively exploring new categories and behaviors emerging at the frontier of consumer AI. BK serves on the boards of Captions and Partiful, and as a board observer at ElevenLabs and Function Health.

Prior to joining a16z, BK spent several years at Snap, where he helped scale the company through its hyper-growth and IPO. He built and led the growth and product operations teams, driving user expansion globally. He also scaled the finance team from zero to 70+ people and led several key milestones, including the IPO. As a founding member of the strategy team, he sourced and integrated major acquisitions such as Looksery (which powers Snap AR Lenses) and Bitmoji.

Earlier in his career, Bryan was CFO at Bungalow and a founding General Partner at Uncommon Projects, an operator-led seed fund. He began his career in investment banking at Credit Suisse, advising technology companies on M&A and capital markets transactions.

He holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from Carleton College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

 

 
 

Mike Kim is a General Partner at Third Prime, where he primarily invests in vertical AI applications. He is particularly interested in the intersection of AI and various physical industries and has led investments across aerospace (Moonware), energy (Everstar), and advanced manufacturing (First Resonance). Prior to joining Third Prime, Mike was a partner and senior investment professional at Valinor Management, a multi-billion-dollar “Tiger Cub” investment firm, where he led investment activities across a number of industries including industrial technology. Prior to Valinor, Mike was a partner and senior investment professional at other leading, multi-billion-dollar, investment firms including UBS O’Connor, Suvretta Capital Management, and Trian Partners, originating and underwriting investments in public and private companies with a research-intensive, long-term orientation. Mike started his career as an investment banker in the Technology M&A group at Bank of America in New York, where he advised both public and private companies in the technology industry. Mike received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University.

 

 

Karen Moon is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience across retail and technology. Her expertise is at the intersection of data-driven consumer insights, AI, and human-centered design.

She is currently founding CCO at Spangle AI, an agentic AI startup optimizing shopping journeys for brands and retailers. Karen also co-founded, scaled, and sold a predictive analytics startup Trendalytics, which served industry-leading clients such as Revolve, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Shinsegae, Gap Inc., J.Crew, Levi’s, Urban Outfitters, Target, Ulta, Stitch Fix, Estée Lauder Companies, Zappos, and more. The company was also a Google Machine Learning Competition Finalist.

Karen has several years of experience as an investor and advisor in consumer brands and technology through Suttona Capital, Node, and Goode Partners. As an active advisor and investor, she has supported founders on go-to-market strategy, fundraising, hiring, and strategic partnerships. Her corporate advisory work with corporate executive teams and boards includes digital transformation and new business expansion opportunities. She began her career in Goldman Sachs’ TMT investment banking group, followed by roles in corporate strategy and new business development at Gap Inc. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from UCLA, where she graduated summa cum laude.

 

About the Moderator:

 
Danny Crichton analyzes science, technology, finance and the human condition as Partner, Research at Lux Capital, a venture capital firm investing in emerging and growth-stage science and technology ventures. Previously, he was managing editor at TechCrunch as well as a foreign correspondent based in Seoul, South Korea. He’s a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute in New York. For several years, he was an early-stage VC investor with General Catalyst in Palo Alto and Charles River Ventures in Boston and New York. After graduating Stanford with honors in Mathematical and Computational Sciences, he was awarded a Fulbright research scholarship to South Korea, where he investigated the country’s modern industrial policy for startup innovation. Danny is based in Brooklyn.

 

 

Riding the Momentum | How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth

This edition of Startup Scene will explore one of venture capital’s most elusive forces: momentum. As the landscape rapidly shifts—from the rise and retreat of web3 and blockchain to today’s explosive AI wave—both founders and investors face a critical question: how do you tell the difference between short-lived hype and the kind of transformative momentum that drives lasting impact?

Join us for an exclusive presentation featuring three distinguished investors – Bryan Kim (Andreessen Horowitz), Mike Kim (Third Prime), and Karen Moon (Node Innovation Ventures) – as they each share their distinct investment philosophies and portfolio strategies. Together, their talk will offer a wide range of views into today’s ever-evolving startup landscape: from AI emerging technologies, to cross-border investments, and to innovations in consumer platforms. 

The conversation will be moderated by Danny Crichton (Lux Capital). 


 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life


 

Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)


The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

 


About the Speakers:

 

Bryan Kim (“BK”) is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he invests primarily in consumer AI applications. He is particularly interested in how AI is reshaping consumer experiences across core themes such as productivity (ElevenLabs, Cluely, Raspberry), consumer health (Function Health, Slingshot AI), creation (Captions, Civit.ai, Glif, Viggle), and connection (BeReal, Partiful).

He is also actively exploring new categories and behaviors emerging at the frontier of consumer AI. BK serves on the boards of Captions and Partiful, and as a board observer at ElevenLabs and Function Health.

Prior to joining a16z, BK spent several years at Snap, where he helped scale the company through its hyper-growth and IPO. He built and led the growth and product operations teams, driving user expansion globally. He also scaled the finance team from zero to 70+ people and led several key milestones, including the IPO. As a founding member of the strategy team, he sourced and integrated major acquisitions such as Looksery (which powers Snap AR Lenses) and Bitmoji.

Earlier in his career, Bryan was CFO at Bungalow and a founding General Partner at Uncommon Projects, an operator-led seed fund. He began his career in investment banking at Credit Suisse, advising technology companies on M&A and capital markets transactions.

He holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from Carleton College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

 

 
 

Mike Kim is a General Partner at Third Prime, where he primarily invests in vertical AI applications. He is particularly interested in the intersection of AI and various physical industries and has led investments across aerospace (Moonware), energy (Everstar), and advanced manufacturing (First Resonance). Prior to joining Third Prime, Mike was a partner and senior investment professional at Valinor Management, a multi-billion-dollar “Tiger Cub” investment firm, where he led investment activities across a number of industries including industrial technology. Prior to Valinor, Mike was a partner and senior investment professional at other leading, multi-billion-dollar, investment firms including UBS O’Connor, Suvretta Capital Management, and Trian Partners, originating and underwriting investments in public and private companies with a research-intensive, long-term orientation. Mike started his career as an investment banker in the Technology M&A group at Bank of America in New York, where he advised both public and private companies in the technology industry. Mike received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University.

 

 

Karen Moon is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience across retail and technology. Her expertise is at the intersection of data-driven consumer insights, AI, and human-centered design.

She is currently founding CCO at Spangle AI, an agentic AI startup optimizing shopping journeys for brands and retailers. Karen also co-founded, scaled, and sold a predictive analytics startup Trendalytics, which served industry-leading clients such as Revolve, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Shinsegae, Gap Inc., J.Crew, Levi’s, Urban Outfitters, Target, Ulta, Stitch Fix, Estée Lauder Companies, Zappos, and more. The company was also a Google Machine Learning Competition Finalist.

Karen has several years of experience as an investor and advisor in consumer brands and technology through Suttona Capital, Node, and Goode Partners. As an active advisor and investor, she has supported founders on go-to-market strategy, fundraising, hiring, and strategic partnerships. Her corporate advisory work with corporate executive teams and boards includes digital transformation and new business expansion opportunities. She began her career in Goldman Sachs’ TMT investment banking group, followed by roles in corporate strategy and new business development at Gap Inc. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from UCLA, where she graduated summa cum laude.

 

About the Moderator:

 
Danny Crichton analyzes science, technology, finance and the human condition as Partner, Research at Lux Capital, a venture capital firm investing in emerging and growth-stage science and technology ventures. Previously, he was managing editor at TechCrunch as well as a foreign correspondent based in Seoul, South Korea. He’s a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute in New York. For several years, he was an early-stage VC investor with General Catalyst in Palo Alto and Charles River Ventures in Boston and New York. After graduating Stanford with honors in Mathematical and Computational Sciences, he was awarded a Fulbright research scholarship to South Korea, where he investigated the country’s modern industrial policy for startup innovation. Danny is based in Brooklyn.

 

 

Rooted in Giving: Leading Korean Voices in Philanthropy

The Korea Society and the Korean American Community Foundation’s (KACF) Associate Board are pleased to present Rooted in Giving: Leading Korean Voices in Philanthropy, a panel discussion featuring three Korean leaders working at the forefront of non-profit and philanthropy: Jeannie Park, Sue Kim, and Abraham Kim. Together, they will share their experiences and insights on what it means to lead with purpose, build strong communities, and drive meaningful change through service, advocacy, and giving.

This panel will be moderated by Emil Kang, the Agnes Gund Visiting Professor of the Practice of Arts at Brown University and Former Program Director for Arts and Cultural Heritage at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. 

The KACF Associate Board (AB) is a group of community-minded young professionals based in the New York Metro area who serve as ambassadors of KACF’s mission, helping to build awareness of issues of economic security and shape the next generation of Korean American philanthropy. KACF funds community-based non-profit organizations working to improve lives and transform communities in the Korean and Asian American communities in the greater New York area. KACF transforms and empowers communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and inter-community bridge building.

 


 

[YPN] Rooted in Giving: Leading Korean Voices in Philanthropy

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 6:30-8:30 PM (EDT)

Hybrid Program


The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 


About the Speakers:

 

Jeannie Park has been a leader and executive in the areas of media, non-profits, and advocacy for Asian American and other communities of color. She is focused on supporting collective philanthropy, such as KACF’s, as a driver of equity for those communities. Jeannie is a founding board co-chair of the Donors of Color Network, a cross-racial group seeking to advance racial justice. She was an executive editor of People magazine and In Style, spending 22+ years at those and other Time Inc. titles. She was founding president of the NY chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and helped lead their Executive Leadership Program for 20 years. She was president of the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance, leading its growth from 200 to 7,000 members and co-launching its Global Summit, and co-founder of the Coalition for a Diverse Harvard, organizing DEIJ activism. She served on the boards of Third Street Music School Settlement, the country’s longest-running community music school, and Little Red Elisabeth Irwin school. She is a member of the Council of Korean Americans and the Asian American Advisory Board of the Schlesinger Library.

 
 

Sue Kim is the Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts, where she serves as chief fundraising strategist and leads a team that increases philanthropic and membership support for the museum’s innovative programming, exhibitions, and initiatives. She is responsible for helping to establish an historic permanent Korean gallery at PEM opening in 2025. Known for her dedication to community-building and for her ability to forge deep relationships, she has been a leader in the field of global philanthropy and nonprofit executive leadership for three decades.

 
 

Dr. Abraham Kim, Ph.D., is the President at the Council of Korean Americans (CKA). Dr. Kim drives CKA’s mission to develop more impactful global Korean American leaders through education and collaboration. In addition, he works diligently to strengthen the national Korean-American community to increase its voice and influence across the country.

Previously, Dr. Kim served as Executive Director at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center located on the campus of the University of Montana, where he oversaw 50 staff, faculty and affiliates. During Dr. Kim’s tenure, the Center became one of the foremost U.S.-Asia policy and leadership development institutes in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies region.

Prior to the Mansfield Center, Dr. Kim also served as the Vice President and Interim President of the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) in Washington, D.C. In addition, he also functioned as the research manager for government services and principal Asia analyst at the global political risk consulting firm, Eurasia Group. He was a project manager and strategic planner at the Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) and a national security analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kim is a graduate of Boston University and Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University.

 

About the Moderator:

 

Emil J. Kang
Until recently, Emil directed the Arts and Culture program at The Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest funder of arts and humanities, where he led $125 million in annual grantmaking. He also serves as the Agnes Gund Visiting Professor of the Practice of Arts at Brown University.

A visionary arts leader, Kang founded Carolina Performing Arts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005, building it into one of the nation’s leading university-based performing arts programs. While at UNC, Kang served as Professor of the Practice and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the Arets.

In 2012, President Barack Obama appointed Kang to the National Council on the Arts, making him the first Korean-American to serve in this capacity. In addition to his current service on the National Council, Kang also serves on the boards and committees of Silkroad (founded by Yo-Yo Ma) and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Previously, Kang held leadership positions with symphony orchestras across the country including as President and Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra where he was the youngest and first Asian-American CEO of a major symphony orchestra in the nation

 

How To Navigate Career Change

The Korea Society invites you to the next program of our Young Professionals’ Network series: “How To Navigate Career Change.” This program is cohosted by K-Bridge, a global platform that connects members of the Korean diaspora with globally minded Koreans and individuals passionate about Korea.

Featuring a panel of Korean heritage professionals, this event will present the skills, mindset, and strategies that brought our speakers to successful career pivots and how they built support networks within their own Korean and Korean American communities.

Whether you are exploring a new career path or looking to grow your professional network, join us in-person at The Korea Society on the evening of Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM for an engaging discussion with the panelists.

Event Schedule:
5:00 PM – DOORS OPEN    
     – Networking   
     – Check-In   
     – Food
6:00 PM – SPEAKER PRESENTATION
7:00 PM – NETWORKING

Tickets for this event are $35 each, and will include dinner provided by Sopo. To attend, please RSVP using the link below.

 

Sign Up Here for In-person

 

This program is in partnership with K-Bridge, a global network, digital community, and professional development ecosystem for people of Korean heritage.

 


 

[YPN] How To Navigate Career Change

Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EDT)
In-Person


The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 


About K-Bridge:

 

Tyger Cho is founder of K-Bridge, a global network, digital community, and professional development ecosystem for people of Korean heritage. A Stanford graduate, Tyger began his global career at Goldman Sachs. Although initially set on a lifelong career in investment banking, he grew increasingly interested in alternative paths. In 2021, Tyger left Wall Street to join Frontier Networks, a start-up focused on building digital communities for professional investors. There, he learned the power of networks, open-source learning, and authentic connection while interviewing leading investors and helping to build a global digital platform. In 2024, Tyger made a pivotal decision to move to Seoul and recognized a gap between global connectivity among the Korean diaspora. He therefore founded K-Bridge to foster a digital and in-person community. Through K-Bridge, he aims to build a vibrant ecosystem that supports friendship, professional growth, and cross-cultural exchange.

 

​​​K-Bridge Socials:

​Tyger’s Contact:

 

Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape

Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape

Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape

The Korea Society and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) are pleased to present “Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape,” featuring Dr. Tae Hyung Kim, Commissioner of Invest KOREA- the national investment promotion arm of KOTRA. 

Join Dr. Kim as he highlights Korea’s vibrant investment climate, covering emerging opportunities in key industries, government incentives, and market trends that shape Korea as a compelling destination for international business.

Our conversation will be moderated by Thomas J. Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society and Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea. Whether you are an investor or a corporate representative exploring opportunities in Asia, this presentation will offer a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from one of Korea’s top investment officials. 

Invest KOREA is the national investment promotion agency established under the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in accordance with the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. Acting on behalf of the Korean government, it promotes Korea’s investment environment globally, implements policies related to foreign direct investment (FDI), and supports the successful settlement of foreign-invested companies in Korea.


 

Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape

Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 4 PM (EDT)

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

 


ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Dr. Tae Hyung Kim is Commissioner of Invest KOREA, the Republic of Korea’s national investment promotion agency, a position he has held since January 2023. A seasoned economist, he earned his B.A. in Economics from Korea University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Washington. He is also a graduate of advanced management programs at Seoul National University’s business school and Harvard Business School. Dr. Kim’s background is marked by a blend of public policy and private sector leadership, making him a recognized expert in foreign direct investment and global value chains.

Over his career, Dr. Kim has held a variety of senior roles. After early work at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) and the U.S. law and economics consulting group LECG, he served as an economist at Deloitte in the United States. In Korea, he took on leadership roles at the Big Four accounting firms: he was Vice-Chairman of Deloitte Anjin (Deloitte’s Korean member firm) and a senior managing director at Samjong KPMG. He also served as a partner in Deloitte’s Asia-Pacific organization.

In addition to his corporate experience, Dr. Kim has taught economics as a visiting professor at Sookmyung Women’s University and served on high-level government committees related to the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement and a recent presidential transition. His diverse experience and deep expertise in international taxation and investment policy inform his mission to attract sustainable, high-quality foreign investment to Korea. Media profiles even call him an “international finance specialist”, underscoring his global perspective.