Leadership Interview Series 2022

The Korea Society’s ‘Leadership Interview Series’ highlights the roles made by distinguished leaders from the U.S. and Korea in strengthening the multifaceted relationship between the people of Korea and the U.S. The speakers share their personal and professional experiences in the realms of business, economics, education and public policy. Leading the discussions are Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, Chair of the Board of Directors, or Tom Byrne, President and CEO.

Please join us as we seek to gain a better awareness and understanding of issues of common interest between the people of Korea and the U.S.

 


Catching the K-Investment Wave in the USA

Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 6 PM (EDT)|

The United States and South Korea have a well-established “gold standard” Free Trade Agreement. Now, as international economic relationships are shifting to strategic frameworks and concerns over supply-chain robustness and resiliency, Korean investment in the U.S is gaining attention and transforming the bilateral relationship into a new dynamic… Read More

  


Interview with CJ Group Chairman Kyung Shik Sohn

Premiere on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | 6 PM (EDT)|

The Korea Society is pleased to invite Mr. Kyung Shik Sohn, Chairman of CJ Group, for a conversation with the Society’s President/CEO Tom Byrne. In this upcoming episode of our President’s Interview Series, Chairman Sohn… Read More

  


Women in Higher Education: A Discussion with Dr. Eun Mee Kim & Dr. Sian Leah Beilock

Tuesday, March 22, 2022 | 8 AM (EDT)|

Womens’ Universities have emerged as premier institutions in higher education, amplifying womens’ voices from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In the fourth installation of our Womens’ Leadership Series, please join us at The Korea Society to hear from Dr. Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, and Dr. Sian Leah Beilock, President of Barnard College in New York City…. Read More

 


Interview with ROK Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo

Friday, March 18, 2022|

March 15, 2022 marks the 10-year anniversary of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In celebration of this remarkable milestone, The Korea Society invites ROK Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo for a conversation with Korea Society President Tom Byrne… Read More

  


Interview with LG Chem CEO Hak Cheol Shin

Premieres: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 | 6 PM ET|

Join us for a conversation between Mr. Hak Cheol Shin, Chief Executive Officer of LG Chem, and Tom Byrne, the President and CEO of The Korea Society. In this third episode of the ‘President’s Interview Series,’ Mr. Shin will discuss his remarkable career starting out from 3M Korea and serving as the Vice Chair at 3M headquarter… Read More

  


Talking COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation with President John Rim

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 | 7 PM (EDT)|

Join us for a conversation between Mr. John Rim, President and CEO of Samsung Biologics, and Tom Byrne, the President and CEO of The Korea Society. In this second episode of the ‘President’s Interview Series,’ President Rim will discuss his extensive career and senior leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as his current role as the head of Samsung Biologics… Read More

  


A Conversation with Chairman Yongmaan Park

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 | 7 PM (EDT)|

In our inaugural episode of the ‘President’s Interview’ Series, we are pleased to invite Park Yongmaan, Chairman of Doosan Infracore for a conversation with The Korea Society’s President Tom Byrne. As one of the most successful and powerful business leaders in Korea and the world, Chairman Park will discuss his extensive career and leadership role as the Chairman of Doosan Infracore and former Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)… Read More

  


Women in Congress: A Conversation with U.S. Representative Young Kim

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 | 6 PM (EDT)

U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39) joins The Korea Society to share her journey in becoming one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress in its 230-year history. As an immigrant, small business owner, and previous California State 65th district Assemblywoman, we will explore how Congresswoman Kim pursued the American dream to become a successful Korean American leader and politician… Read More

 


Women in Trade: A Talk with Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee||

Friday, February 26, 2021 | 7 PM (EST)

In the second episode of our Women’s Leadership series, we are pleased to welcome South Korean Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee for a conversation on her 25-year career in shaping the international trade infrastructure. As Deputy Minister for FTA Negotiations, and later Director-General for Bureau of Trade Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Yoo Myung-hee has been at the forefront of numerous high-profile trade agreements… Read More

 


A Conversation with Ambassador Kathleen Stephens||

Thursday, January 28, 2021 | 6 PM (EST)

In our inaugural episode of the Korea Society’s Women in Leadership series, we are pleased to welcome Ambassador Kathleen Stephens for a conversation on her distinguished career as a world-renowned female leader. Having an extensive career in international relations, Amb. Stephens, a decorated former U.S. diplomat, will share her special and deep connections to Korea. She will also highlight her experiences in promoting the U.S-Korea relationship as a former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Peace Corp volunteer, and current President of Korea Economic Institute and Chair of The Korea Society… Read More

 


Interview with ROK Trade Minister Han-Koo Yeo

March 15, 2022 marks the 10-year anniversary of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In celebration of this remarkable milestone, The Korea Society invites ROK Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo for a conversation with Korea Society President Tom Byrne.

The discussion will assess the achievements of the first decade of the KORUS FTA and the broader effects it has had on the Korea-U.S. bilateral relationship. It will also examine future prospects of the two countries’ trade relationship and the deepening of the economic partnership between the two countries, while also examining the evolution of the trade architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.

  

Interview with ROK Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo

Friday, March 18, 2022


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

 

 

 


ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

H.E. Yeo Han-koo
Minister for Trade
Republic of Korea

 

 EMPLOYMENT

 
MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY & ENERGY
Trade Minister (August 2021 – Present)

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Secretary to the President for New Southern and Northern Policy (July 2020 – August 2021)

MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY & ENERGY
Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations (March 2019 – July 2020)
Minister Counselor, Embassy of The Republic of Korea in the USA (September 2017 – March 2019)
Director General, Bureau of Trade Policy (February 2017 – September 2017)
Director General, FTA Policy Bureau (April 2016 – February 2017)
Chief, Office of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Deputy Chief/Deputy Director General, Office of TPP (August 2014 – April 2016)
Director, Multilateral Trade Cooperation Division (March 2014 – August 2014)
Climate Change Policy Division (February 2009 – February 2010)
Free Trade Agreement Division (April 2007 – March 2008)
Foreign Investment Policy Division (May 2005 – February 2006)
Deputy Director, Foreign Investment Promotion Division (May 2004 – August 2005)
Industrial Policy Division (July 1998 – July 2000)
Small & Medium Enterprises Policy Division (December 1993 – March 1995)

WORLD BANK GROUP
(March 2010 – February 2014)
Sr. Investment Policy Officer, Investment Climate Department, CIC/FPD

NATIONAL ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL, PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
(February 2006 – April 2007) Director, International Economy & Industrial Policy Bureau, Secretariat

KDI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY & MANAGEMENT, KOREA
(September 2005 – August 2008) Lecturer (part-time), Master of Foreign Direct Investment (MFDI) Program

KOREA & U.S. AIR FORCE COMPONENT COMMAND, KOREA
(March 1995 – July 1998). Public Affairs & Personnel Officer (1stLieutenant), Mandatory Service

 
 EDUCATION

 
Harvard Business School (2002-2004); Master of Business Administration
Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2000-2002); Master of Public Administration
Harvard Law School (2000-2001); Certificate in International Tax Program
Seoul National University (1988-1992); Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
 
 PUBLICATION

 
Dante Roscini, Eric Werker, Han-koo Yeo, “Kaesong Industrial Complex (A), (B)”, Harvard Business School Case (N2- 710-022), April 2010
The World Bank, “Special Economic Zones”, 2011, pp.283-308 (CH.12 on Low-carbon Green Special Economic Zones)
Han-koo Yeo, “MBA Education at Harvard Business School”, Deonan Publishing Co. February 2007 (in Korean)
Han-koo Yeo, “Why did they choose mobile phones instead of shoes?”, Alma Publishing Co. October 2013 (in Korean)
 
 HONORS AND AWARDS

 
International Finance Corporation Performance Award(2013), World Bank Financial and Private Sector Development Vice President Award(2012), An Achievement Award from the President of Republic of Korea(2006), An Achievement Award from the Commerce Minister(2006), Air Force Public Affairs Officer Leadership Award(1998), Decorated for the Defense Minister’s Award(1995), An Achievement Award from the Minister of Government Administration(1993)