BAN KI-MOON MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Past recipients of the Van Fleet award have generally been distinguished individuals whose public service career had been completed. Included among these recipients are a former American president, a former secretary of defense, a retired four-star general, and a former chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, who received the award posthumously.
Tonight, we are presenting the Van Fleet award to a man who is actively serving in a key position at a time of great historical and political turbulence in Northeast Asia. We feel that this award is very much in keeping with the spirit of the man for whom the award is named. General James A. Van Fleet developed a deep admiration for the Korean people as he observed them coping bravely with the devastation of the Korean War. He recognized them as a people of action. It was this high regard for the Korean people that led him to establish the first incarnation of The Korea Society in 1957.
Tonight’s awardee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon, is clearly a man of action, who brings to his vital position a wealth of experience acquired during 34 years of service to his country. At a time when the regional relationships in Northeast Asia are in flux and Korea is emerging as a hub of the region, Minister Ban has been coping admirably with such issues as the multilateral talks designed to defuse the North Korean nuclear issue, changes in longstanding patterns of U.S. troop deployments and the highly charged issue, between China and Korea, of the basic identity of the ancient kingdom of Koguryo.
All of us in this distinguished audience tonight feel deeply reassured that it is Minister Ban Ki-Moon who is responsible for dealing with these complex issues. As members and friends of The Korea Society, it is our hope that he will accept the 2004 James A. Van Fleet Award as a kind of “battlefield decoration,” a token of our admiration for his achievements during a distinguished career in public service and his continuing contributions as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea.
Today, as the U.S.-Korea alliance continues to grow and prosper in a new century, President Bush is still remembered with great respect and affection by the Korean people for all that he contributed to this key relationship during his presidency.
RAYMOND G. DAVIS GENERAL, (RET.) UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
General Raymond G. Davis has compiled a matchless combat record as a Marine Corps officer in the brutal Guadalcanal campaign of World War II, and as the commanding general of the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. During the Korean War, General Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a battalion commander during the First Marine Division’s historic fight to break out of the Chosin Reservoir area in the frigid mountains of North Korea.
General Davis has been awarded numerous medals for heroism by a grateful United States government. His 33 years of active service as a Marine Corps officer ended with his retirement in 1972, after serving as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.
Like General Van Fleet, for whom this award is named, General Davis came out of the Korean War with a special admiration for the Korean people. He has worked tirelessly to develop the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has worked to promote the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Northeast Asia and has actively participated in meetings between American and North Korean officials in New York City.
Last year, with the cooperation of the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, General Davis visited the Chosin Reservoir area, as a part of the United States government’s effort to repatriate the remains of servicemen killed during the war. General Davis is working diligently to return to North Korea in the near future, with other Korean War veterans and their families, in an attempt to forge bonds of friendship between former enemies as well as assist in locating and repatriating those still buried in the formidable mountains of North Korea.
General Davis has brought the same dedication and intensity to civilian life that he demonstrated as an officer in combat. His contributions to Korea and to America, in peace and war, perfectly exemplify the spirit of the Van Fleet Award. It is most appropriate that this award is being presented to General Davis by the President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Roh Moo-hyun.
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.
Check out our video release to view this engaging and thought-provoking interview with Professor Jeongki Lim, a leading expert in transdisciplinary design. In this interactive program with Professor Lim, he walked our audience through his career journey on how he landed on his current position and shared invaluable insights gained through his years of experience and research in the creative technology and design industry. Prof. Lim also explored how AI technologies have impacted creative industries and beyond, as well as the challenges and opportunities they have posed in shaping the future.
The discussion, followed by a networking session, included light refreshments for those attending the event in person.
Young Professionals’ Network Our future with AI A Conversation with Prof. Jeongki Lim
Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
VIDEO RELEASE
Monday, May 1, 2023
The Korea Society 350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor New York, NY 10017
Jeongki Lim is Assistant Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, The New School. His practice spans from launching new organizations in both private and public sectors to researching and teaching at the intersection of design and science. Before his academic career, he was selected for Google’s 30 Weeks Design Founder program for co-founding a company that placed the concept of design at the center of the business, which has manifested in product development, user experience, market strategy, and computational design. His other works have contributed to launching new strategic initiatives in the military, urban government, and technology consulting that still exist today. He currently serves in the leadership team of Parsons MPS in Fashion Management and has led the BBA in Strategic Design and Management program. He holds a B.A. in Individualized Studies and an M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics, both from New York University. He is a regular speaker both in industry and academic events. His research focuses on computational creativity, complex adaptive systems, and learning science that can bring value to our understanding of human creativity and corporate innovation.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Tae Young Woo is Co-Founder and CEO of Finestra, a healthcare data startup developing tools to make medical care more transparent and accessible to Americans. The company developed a search engine for medical bills and is quickly expanding across the United States.
Prior to health care tech, Tae Young started (and still owns) Blue Books Media, a Seoul-based publishing company that introduces industry leaders well-known in the English-speaking world to the Korean market. All of the books he published have been placed in the TOP 100 business book rankings in the country after release, and one he personally translated and published was ranked the #1 self-help book in the country and a TOP 3 national bestseller.
Tae Young is also a Founding Director of the Yoonjae Lee Foundation for Environmental Studies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up in honor of his late friend and college roommate who was a passionate inventor and scholar of environmental studies and technology tackling climate change. The Foundation aims to provide scholarships to the next generation of scholars dedicated to solving the climate crisis.
A Seoul native raised in southern California, Tae Young received his Bachelor of Arts from New York University and now lives in New York.
With the exclusive support of Hanwha Life, The Korea Society proudly presents Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (hereinafter referred to as Startup Scene), a dedicated corporate program series for the startup entrepreneurial community that encompasses the US and South Korean economic landscape.
Since its launch in 2024, Startup Scene has established itself as a vital platform for knowledge sharing, inspiration, and networking. Through a series of in-house programs, Startup Scene features a diverse range of accomplished startup founders, delving into their strategies and sharing lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys. These initiatives will culminate in an annual forum, offering participants an immersive experience to deepen their understanding of the startup ecosystem and gain practical tools for their ventures.
Join us to be inspired, informed, and connected as we continue to shape the future of entrepreneurship.
The Korea Society is honored to announce the return of the 2026 Startup Scene annual forum, “Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live.” This year, the annual forum brings together founders, investors, and technology… Read More
Global Venture Without Borders: A Conversation with Eric Kim
Friday, April 10, 2026
We are honored to welcome Eric Kim, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Goodwater Capital and Yale University alumnus, for a fireside conversation on building global consumer technology companies across borders… Read More
Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow 2026 Emerging Design Competition
Application Period: Monday, December 15, 2025 to Monday, March 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
The “Startup Scene: Emerging Design Competition” is designed to encourage innovative thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit among Korean-American and Korean students enrolled in colleges, universities, and graduate schools across the United States… Read More
New Year, New You! Powered by K-Health
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM (EST)
Join us for a timely discussion with William Ban (Himedi), Taesoo Sean Kim (IceMiller), and Ken Nesmith (Lunit) spotlighting Korea’s health-tech startups, scale-ups, and leading institutions at the forefront of medical innovation… Read More
The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant with Tae Kim
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Join us for a conversation with Tae Kim, author of The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant. Now as the world’s leading AI chipmaker, Nvidia offers a fascinating window into the new era of global entrepreneurship vis-à-vis its partnership with Korea… Read More
Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
This edition of Startup Scene will explore one of venture capital’s most elusive forces: momentum… Read More
Startups in Focus: Driving US-Korea Economic Synergy Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Korea Society is excited to announce the return of Startup Scene’s keystone annual forum for 2025: “Startups in Focus: Driving US-Korea Economic Synergy”, supported exclusively by Hanwha Life… Read More
Scaling SaaS: The Art of Storytelling & Investor Strategy Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 6 PM (EST)
When it comes to building a successful SaaS (Software as a Service) business, many assume that exceptional coding skills are the key to success. However, our next Startup Scene program offers a different perspective… Read More
Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow 2025 Student Ideation Competition Application Period: Monday, February 17 to Monday, March 3, 2025 (11:59 PM EST) Final 3 teams announcement: Monday, March 24, 2025 Final pitch and Award Ceremony: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Korea Society is calling for entries for “Startup Scene: Student Ideation Competition.” The competition is a part of the Society’s corporate series, Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (hereinafter Startup Scene), proudly supported by Hanwha Life exclusively. Startup Scene is dedicated to empower the startup entrepreneurial community that encompasses the US and South Korean economic landscape… Read More
Tech, Culture, and K-Beauty: Dino’s Playbook for Building MBX Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 6 PM (EST)
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Hyungseok Dino Ha (hereinafter Dino), Co-Founder and CEO of MBX (formerly Memebox), a visionary multi-brand beauty and personal care company leading the convergence of technology, culture, and K-beauty… Read More
Empowering Women with Holistic Care: A Conversation with Rael’s Co-Founder and CEO, Yanghee Paik Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 6 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society is pleased to invite you to a fireside chat with Co-founder and CEO of Rael, Yanghee Paik. In 2017, Yanghee joined forces with two other Korean-American women to revolutionize the stagnant American feminine-care product market by introducing clean, high-performing holistic feminine care products… Read More
Changes, Challenges, and Chances in K-Startups amid AI Era Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 8:30 AM (EDT)
The Korea Society would like to invite you to a half-day startup forum, “Changes, Challenges, and Chances in K-Startups amid the AI Era,” on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The forum marks the culmination of a year-long series, Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow… Read More
Charting Entrepreneurial Paths: Curtis Lee, From Luxe to Pinwheel and Beyond Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 6 PM (EST)
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... Read More
Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Saeju Jeong: An Unwavering Visionary Behind Noom Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 6 PM (EST)
Join us for our inaugural program of Startup Scene: Entrepreneur 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… Read More
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 85th birthday!
The Seoul Forum 2022 was a perfect occasion to mark The Korea Society’s 65th anniversary by bringing together from the U.S. and Korea participants who value stronger bilateral ties. It was a great opportunity to address critical issues in the U.S.-Korea relationship with leading experts, notably with a moderated dialogue with former U.S. Secretary of Defense General James N. Mattis, the keynote address by Republic of Korea Trade Minister Ahn Dukgeun, opening and closing remarks by CSIS President and CEO John Hamre and closing remarks by former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Lee Hong-koo.
For more details, please refer to the information below.
FRIDAY, JULY 1: PUBLIC CONFERENCE
Moderator Kim, Soyoung Professor, KAIST; WEF Global Future Council Member
8:30 – 9:00 AM KST
WELCOMING REMARKS
Thomas J. Byrne President and CEO, The Korea Society
John Hamre President and CEO, and Langone Chair in American Leadership, CSIS
Kim, Myungja President, The SFIA, and Former Minister of Environment
9:00 – 10:00 AM KST
DIALOGUE WITH GEN.(RET.) JAMES N. MATTIS AND Q&A
Moderator Lee, Shin-wha Professor, Korea University, President of the ACUNS
Speaker Gen. (Ret.) James N. Mattis Former Secretary of Defense of the United States of America
10:15 – 12:00 PM KST
SESSION I SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN POLICY UNDER THE YOON ADMINISTRATION AND THE ROK_US RELATIONS
– What is the direction of South Korean foreign policy with regard to alliance?
– How will the new administration deal with North Korea?
– What are the prospects for relations with Japan and China?
Moderator Victor Cha Senior Vice President and Korea Chair, CSIS
Panelists Kathleen Stephens Chair, Board of Directors, The Korea Society & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America
Daniel Sneider Lecturer, East Asian Studies, Stanford University
Lee, Sanghyun President, The Sejong Institute
Discussants Kongdan Katy Oh Board of Directors, Korea Economic Institute of America
Whang, Taehee Professor, Yonsei University
Q & A
12:00 – 1:15 PM KST
LUNCH
KEYNOTE BY MINISTER FOR TRADE, AHN, DUKGEUN
Q & A
1:15 – 3:00 PM KST
SESSION II ECONOMIC SECURITY: SUPPLY CHAIN AND TECHNOLOGY
– How will the new administration follow on the May 21 Summit agenda laid out by Biden and Yoon?
– Should we expect new initiatives on supply chains, and technology?
– What will be the future of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and its impact on the ROK-US cooperation?
Moderator Bark, Taeho Emeritus Professor, Seoul University; Former Minister for Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Panelists Thomas J. Byrne President and CEO, The Korea Society
Choi, Byung-il President,Korea Foundation for Advance Studies (KFAS)
Ryu, Jin Roy Chairman & CEO,Poongsan Group; CSIS Board Member
Lee, Hyo-young Assistant Professor, Korea National Diplomatic Academy
Discussants Cho, H. S. Vice Chairman, Hyosung
Kim, Wonjoon Head of the Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management Professor at the School of Business and Technology Management, KAIST
Q & A
3:00 – 3:15 PM KST
CLOSING REMARKS & ADJOURMENT
John Hamre Professor and CEO, and Langone Chair in American Leadership, CSIS
Kathleen Stephens Chair, Board of Directors, The Korea Society & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America
Lee, Hong-koo Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea
This forum was made possible by the generous support of the Poongsan Corporation.
The Korea Society 350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor New York, NY 10017
KIM KYUNG WON PRESIDENT INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES REPUBLIC OF KOREA
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.
At the 2020 Annual Dinner, the Korea Society will honor two distinguished groups as recipients of the Van Fleet Awards. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, the Korea Society will present a Van Fleet Award to the U.S. Korean War veterans, honoring their contribution and sacrifice to strengthen the defense alliance between the U.S. and Korea. The Korea Society will also recognize the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a Van Fleet Award recipient, to acknowledge its pivotal role in the U.S.-Korea trade and investment relationships and its commitment to enhance cooperation between the American and Korean business communities.
VAN FLEET AWARD HONOREES
U.S. Korean War Veterans
Accepted by Honorable Charles B. Rangel Congressman 1970-2016 Statesman-in-residence The City College of New York
Accepted by Salvatore Scarlato President Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York
President Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter 64
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Accepted by Yongmaan Park Chairman Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Plaza Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York City
We will continue to monitor the safety precautions from New York City and State governments, as well as CDC guidelines on COVID-19. Accordingly, if we need to make any changes to our Annual Dinner — whether in format or date — we will notify all registered guests and sponsors as soon as possible.
AwardeeSUPPORT LEVELS
Accepted by Honorable Charles B. Rangel Congressman 1970-2016 Statesman-in-residence The City College of New York
Charles B. Rangel, war hero, history-making congressman, master lawmaker. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he made history as the first African American member of Congress to lead the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He served for 23 terms in the House of Representatives and was cited as the most effective lawmaker in the House, leading all of his colleagues in passing legislation. He was a prime contributor to President Obama’s historic health care reform law.
Growing up on the other side of the tracks on Lenox Avenue in Harlem, he was transformed from high school dropout to war hero after volunteering for service in the Army during the Korean War. Wounded in an attack by waves of Communist Chinese troops, he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor after leading his surviving comrades from behind enemy lines.
With the aid of the G.I. Bill, he earned degrees from New York University and St. John’s University Law School. He began his public service as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and was later elected to the New York State Assembly. He went to Washington in 1971 to serve in the House after defeating the legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Congressman Rangel is currently Statesman in Residence at The City College of New York for the City University of New York. Demonstrating his commitment to education, he created financial mechanisms to construct and rehabilitate public schools across the country. In Congress, following Saint Matthew’s teaching, he has been a stalwart champion for the “least among us,” advocating powerfully and persistently to improve the lives of working people. He is a defender of veterans and treated education as a national security issue.
A leading advocate for equal rights and equal opportunity, Congressman Rangel boosted the incomes of millions of working families with the Earned Income Tax Credit, and pumped billions of dollars into revitalization of communities across the nation, including Harlem. His unparalleled foreign policy record focused on Africa and the Caribbean. In 1986, Congressman Rangel sounded the death knell for apartheid in South Africa with the “Rangel Amendment,” which forced the largest U.S. investors to abandon the country. He created trading and investment opportunities for struggling nations in the Caribbean and Africa. In 2010, he successfully promoted vital investment incentives for earthquake ravaged Haiti.
Among his proudest achievements is founding the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program in the State Department, in cooperation with Howard University. As of 2015, most of the 200 Rangel Fellows who completed the program were serving as U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers in U.S. Embassies around the world. Congressman Rangel retired from the United States Congress in 2016. Mr. Rangel still resides with his wife, Alma, in Harlem where he was born. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.
Accepted by Salvatore Scarlato President Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York
President Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter 64
Salvatore Scarlato joined the Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter in September 1989. He began by being a Member then was voted in as a Director, Event Chairman, 1st Vice President and, today is the President. He has been the President of this Chapter and the Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York from 2009 to present time (11 years.)
Born in Brookyn, New York on January 14, 1933, Salvatore Scarlato was raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Williamsburg in Brookyn. His parents, Damiano and Carmela Scarlato, were born in the United States in 1905. He attended public school 157 first, then Boys High School in Brookyn, NY.
On October 15, 1951, at the age of 18 ½ years old, Salvatore Scarlato joined the United States Marine Corps. He trained 12 weeks in Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC. After Boot Camp, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA for 12 weeks of combat infantry training; part of the 19 replacement draft to Korea. He arrived in Inchon Harbor (Korea west coast) on April 1952 and proceeded to Ascom City where he was assigned as a Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) man to Baker Company 1st Shore Party Battalion, 1st Marine Division attached to Kimpo Provisional Regiment (K.P.R.) with the 7 Marine Regiment above the Kimpo Penninsula on the main line of Resistence (M.L.R.) This is called the Jamestown Line. He was combat wounded and spent five months in Camp Lejuene Naval Hospital in SC and received an Honorable Medical Discharge from his military service.
Salvatore Scarlato is the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps President Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star, Navy Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star, United Nations Medal, the Korean War Service Medal and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, New York State Conspicuous Service Star.
Salvatore added to his education by using the G.I. Bill by attending the Mondell Institute in Jamaica, NY for electro-mechanical design drafting; he graduated in 1955. Then, he attended Community Brooklyn College at night for two years and took a home study course from the International Technology of Electronics School in Chicago, IL, which he received a Certificate of Completion.
In 1990, he met his first American South Korean, John SJ Ha, who is his 1st Vice President and best friend. Because of John and his important contacts, Salvatore is well known all over the East Coast Metropolitan area of New York and many Korean Communities, as well as, the Blue House in Seoul Korea. He has received many medals and awards from numerous Korean Presidents, Korean Government Officials, Korean Organizations and Korean Retired Generals. Salvatore has been back to Korea eight different times, as an Honored Guest of the Korean Government.
In civilian life, Salvatore was an electro-mechanical designer and worked for various electronic and aircraft companies doing military and commercial designing of electronic equipment, black boxes for aircrafts and ground support equipment.
Salvatore Scarlato married his beautiful, lovely wife, Teresa on June 1, 1957 (married 63 years.) They have two beautiful children, Karen and Thomas and three wonderful grandsons, Nicholas, Steven and Matthew and son-in-law, Wayne. He and his wife reside in Hauppauge, NY.
Accepted by Yongmaan Park Chairman Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mr. Park is Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is also Chairman of Doosan Infracore, one of the key subsidiaries of Doosan Group (Doosan). Doosan is a global conglomerate with around $20 billion revenue generated from power and desalination plant construction, energy solution, power equipment, construction equipment, and engine businesses. With 124 years of history, Doosan is well-known as the oldest company in Korea, yet it is also considered one of the most dynamic enterprises in Korea.
Mr. Park has been in the front-and-center of the renowned transformation of Doosan. He has led over 42 deals including acquisitions and divestitures of businesses as part of the strategic drive to overhaul Doosan’s business portfolio, turning Doosan from a consumer goods company to an Infrastructure Support Business (ISB) focused enterprise. Under his leadership, Doosan has acquired Bobcat, the global leader in compact construction equipment. He has also spearheaded Doosan’s broader globalization efforts, transforming the Korean company into a multi-national conglomerate with operations in 38 countries and with over 50 percent of its 38,000 employees working overseas. Mr. Park’s leadership has led Doosan to achieve a seven-fold revenue growth in just over a decade. Doosan’s success along with Mr. Park’s leadership has received tremendous publicity abroad and is frequently benchmarked in the industry.
In acknowledgement of his leadership and expertise, Mr. Park was elected as Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in August 2013. The KCCI is the nation’s largest business organization encompassing 73 regional chambers and approximately 180,000 firms and industry associations in Korea. On the international scene, Mr. Park serves as an executive board member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the world’s largest business organization. Mr. Park is also a member of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) since 2018. Mr. Park plays a central role in representing diverse voices of businesses and building close partnerships between private and public sectors both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Park has been acclaimed for his devoted service to enhance the commercial ties between Korea and other countries. In recognition of his dedication and contribution, he has been awarded the Order of Civil Merit of Spain in 2003, the Order of Leopold Ⅱ of Belgium in 2009, and a Commander of the Order of the Star from the Italian government in 2016. In 2014, Mr. Park received the Van Fleet Award from the Korea Society for his significant contributions to the promotion of the U.S.-Korea relations and received the Gold Tower Industry Award from the Korean government in 2012. Mr. Park has been Chairman of the Korea-Spain Economic Cooperation Committee since 2000 and a member of the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics Korea since 2011.
Mr. Park is an open and caring leader who places people at the core of his values and is currently devoted to building a strong common corporate culture within Doosan to achieve unparalleled success for another 100 years.
An avid photographer and dedicated athlete, Mr. Park spends his leisure time in pursuing documentary photography and cross-country trekking. Mr. Park has traversed the Korean Peninsula on foot, travelling 550km along a north-south trail and 330km along a west-east trail. Most recently he has walked across 405km around the southern coast of Korea, setting a record of walking a total of 1,285km.
Mr. Park received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Seoul National University in 1978 and his MBA from Boston University in 1982. He is fluent in English and Japanese.
DINNER COMMITTEES
LEADER – $100,000 • 14 guests for VIP reception; 6 guests for general reception • 10 guests in premium seating; 10 guests for in priority seating
BENEFACTOR – $50,000 • 10 guests for VIP reception; 10 guests for general reception • 10 guests in priority seating; 10 guests in preferred seating
PATRON – $30,000 • 4 guests for VIP reception; 6 guests for general reception • 10 guests in preferred seating
In addition to above benefits, Dinner Committees will receive recognition from the podium; full-page ad, corporate profile, and photo and bio of corporate representative in the dinner program book; listing on our website.
TABLE SPONSORSHIP
SPONSOR – $20,000 • 10 guests for dinner • 2 guests for VIP reception; 8 guests for general reception • Half-page ad; corporate profile with photo of corporate representative in the dinner program book
DONOR – $15,000 • 10 guests for general reception and dinner • Half-page ad; corporate profile in the dinner program book
Contributor – $7,500 • 5 guests (half table) for general reception and dinner • Corporate profile in the dinner program book
All table sponsors will be acknowledged on our website and in the dinner program book.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
PATRON COUPLE – $5,000 • 2 tickets for VIP reception and preferred seating • Acknowledgement on our website and in the dinner program book
PATRON – $3,000 • 1 ticket for VIP reception and preferred seating • Acknowledgement on our website and in the dinner program book
CONTRIBUTOR – $750 • 1 ticket for general reception and dinner
ASSOCIATE – $500 • 1 ticket for general reception and dinner
* This rate is available only for attendees from nonprofit and academic institutions, and young professionals without corporate sponsorship. Please confirm your eligibility with Jiyoung Suh.
Tickets
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Full-page in the dinner program book – $10,000 Half-page in the dinner program book – $5,000
Table Sponsorship and Individual Patron ticket registrations must be confirmed by August 28, 2020 to be acknowledged in the dinner program.
Cancellations after August 28 will not be accepted.
The Korea Society is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
For further information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please contact Jiyoung Suh or by phone at (212) 759-5360.
JIMMY CARTER 39TH PRESIDENT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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.
