Dress historian Dr. Minjee Kim will offer fresh insights into Korean period costume as a visual and narrative language closely aligned with the development of plot and storyline… Read More
The Promised Republic: Developmental Society and The Making of Modern Seoul, 1961-1971
Thursday, May 14 , 2026 | 4:00 PM
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Russell Burge, author of “The Promised Republic: Developmental Society and the Making of Modern Seoul.” In conversation with policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre… Read More
Assessing North Korea’s Developing Nuclear Program
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:30 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion with Sarah Laderman, Senior Analyst for Open Nuclear Network, a PAX sapiens programme, on the rollout of a recent series of reports examining North Korea’s nuclear program. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado… Read More
Privileged but Powerless: How North Korean Elite Grievances Reveal the Regime’s Greatest Weakness
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 4 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Jieun Baek, author of “Privileged but Powerless: How North Korean Elite Grievances Reveal the Regime’s Greatest Weakness.” In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado… Read More
Author Talks: Kim Choyeop & Anton Hur
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
In If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light, Korean science fiction superstar Kim Choyeop leads us to places we never thought we’d reach, imagining worlds galaxies away and unfamiliar lifeforms with near-dizzying humanity… Read More
America’s Taiwan Dilemma: Allies’ Reactions and the Stakes for US Reputation
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 4 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion with Mark Christopher, author of the new book: America’s Taiwan Dilemma: Allies’ Reactions and the Stakes for US Reputation. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado… Read More
Across Languages: New Voices in Korean Poetry
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Across Languages: New Voices in Korean Poetry brings together acclaimed South Korean poets Lee Jenny, Yoo Heekyung, Oh Eun, and Shin Hae-uk with award-winning literary translators Archana Madhavan and Stine An… Read More
Author Talks: Bo-young Kim
VIDEO RELEASE: Thursday, April 16, 2026
In her mind-expanding work of speculative fiction, Bo-young Kim explores the driving forces of humanity—love, hope, creation, destruction, and the very meaning of existence… Read More
Global Venture Without Borders: A Conversation with Eric Kim
VIDEO RELEASE: 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
Spotlight: Resources on Korea and U.S.-Korea Relations
Wednesday, April 08 , 2026 | 8:00 AM (EDT)
Join us for a virtual tour of archival resources about Korea and U.S.-Korea relations available for virtual and U.S.-based researchers. This discussion highlights a diverse array of both longstanding and emerging collections… Read More
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values Rabbi Angela Buchdahl with Kyung Yoon
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 6:00 PM (EDT)
With the ever-growing need to understand ourselves and humanity as a whole, it is necessary to examine the concepts of morality, ethics and universal values as guiding principles of the human condition… Read More
Artist Talk: Ran Hwang
Friday, March 27, 2026
In her solo exhibition, Ran Hwang presents large-scale installations that are both intricate and poetic, delicate yet dramatic, as they explore the cyclical patterns of life and the fleeting nature of beauty… Read More
Korea in Transition
Tuesday, March 24 , 2026 | 6:30 PM
Peabody Essex Museum’s Korean art collection, comprising nearly 2,000 works, offers a distinctive lens on late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Korea—… Read More
K-pop Fandom: Performing Deokhu from the 1990s to Today with Areum Jeong
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EST)
In this lecture, Areum Jeong will explore the phenomenon of performing deokhu—a Korean term connoting an “avid fan”—and the cultural significance and meaning of K-pop fan practices with a nuanced examination of contemporary audience power… Read More
Prospects for Relations with North Korea
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Join us for a program examining prospects for relations with North Korea, including US-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance coordination, inter-Korean relations, the impact of North Korea’s close relations with China and Russia, security concerns, and diplomatic opportunities… Read More
From Learning to Creating in Korea with Tyler and Nidhi
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Learning the Korean language opens the doors into a completely new depth of understanding Korean culture, and perhaps a career you never imagined having. Join acclaimed media figures Tyler Rasch and Nidhi Agrawal… Read More
South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Strategy
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 8 AM (EST)
When Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Jae Myung hosted US President Donald Trump for a State Visit in Gyeongju, South Korea in October of last year, the allies committed to developing the maritime and nuclear relationship… Read More
Startup Pathways for Students: Emerging Design Competition & More
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 5:10 PM (EST)
Meet the student team finalists from Startup Scene: 2025 Student Ideation Competition—newly rebranded this year as the Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition… 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
Author Talks: Kim Hana & Hwang Sunwoo
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Two Women Living Together, the bestselling Korean memoir by Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo, is an insightful and heartwarming book that offers a fresh perspective on female friendship, chosen family, and the different ways one can make a “good” life… Read More
Sweden’s Role in Korean Peninsula Diplomacy with Ambassador Peter Semneby
Thursday, December 18 , 2025 | 4:00 PM (EST)
Join us for a discussion with Ambassador Peter Semneby, the Swedish Government’s Special Envoy for the Korean Peninsula. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado, Ambassador Semneby will provide a brief overview history of Sweden’s role in Korea… Read More
US-Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation with Jeffrey Voth
Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 4 PM (EST)
Join us for a conversation on the obstacles and pathways for enhanced US-Korea shipbuilding cooperation with Jeffrey Voth, President of Herren Associates, Inc., an engineering and technology firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. He is author of a recent article… Read More
Gaining Global Perspective: Insights on Workplace Culture
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 5:30 PM (EST)
In the next program of our Young Professionals’ Network series, The Korea Society is hosting a panel discussion to explore what it takes to navigate leadership roles in multinational companies, make major career transitions, and think strategically on a global scale… Read More
The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant with Tae Kim
Thursday, December 04 , 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
Korea-China Relations: A History of Intervention with Dr. Ji-Young Lee
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 4 PM (EST)
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Ji-Young Lee for an examination of the circumstances and methods of Chinese military intervention in the Korean Peninsula… Read More
Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared | The Curatorial Roundtable
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 6 PM (EST)
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art presents Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared, the first U.S. exhibition of significant works from the renowned Lee Kun-Hee Collection… Read More
Modern Architecture in Korea: Travels through Terra Incognita
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Modern architecture in Korea is characterized by open and dynamic attitudes formed through a unique set of historical circumstances. Through colonial rule, war, and poverty, it was cut off from its older building traditions… Read More
Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture 2025
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 | 4:00 PM (EST)
The Korea Society is pleased to announce that the ninth annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Awardee is Dr. Peter Jongho Na, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine… Read More
US-Korea Cooperation Across Domains and Through History
Friday, November 14, 2025 | 8 AM – 2 PM (EST)
Join us for a timely and insightful exploration of all the key issues affecting the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) relationship. The Van Fleet Policy Forum is The Korea Society’s flagship policy event… Read More
Interview with Bank of Korea Governor Rhee, Chang Yong
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Please join us for a timely conversation with Dr. Rhee, Chang Yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea, as he discusses key issues shaping global and domestic economic policy. Governor Rhee sat down with Thomas Byrne, President & CEO of The Korea Society… Read More
Rapid Reaction: APEC South Korea 2025
Monday, November 3, 2025 | 8 AM (EST)
Join us for a rapid reaction analysis of The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2025 summit, held in Gyeongju, South Korea from October 31 to November 1. Our discussion examines all the most significant outcomes in terms of trade and geopolitics, with special emphasis on the US, Korea, and the US-Korea relationship… Read More
What to Expect: The 2025 APEC Summit in South Korea
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a scene setter that explores the stakes and the storylines for The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2025 summit, held in Gyeongju, South Korea from October 31 to November 1, 2025… Read More
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values Misook Doolittle with Ambassador Kathleen Stephens
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society and Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation is proud to present Misook Doolittle, a fashion pioneer and philanthropist, in a conversation with Ambassador Kathleen Stephens… Read More
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values Nicholas Harkness
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society and Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation is proud to present Nicholas Harkness on the importance of global and regional studies in higher learning in relation to Korean Studies in the United States… Read More
Meet Advocacy Fellows from Liberty in North Korea
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion with Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) Advocacy Fellows to hear firsthand about the realities of life in North Korea, the decision and process of leaving, the adjustment to a new life in South Korea, and the discovery of new meaning and motivation… Read More
Artist Talk: Hong Seon Jang
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
With his installations, Hong Seon Jang transforms industrial products and found objects in order to explore the usually recognizable surroundings… Read More
Author Talks: You-Jeong Jeong
Thursday, October 9, 2025
From master of crime and suspense fiction You-Jeong Jeong comes Perfect Happiness, a thrilling domestic nightmare. Everyone in Yuna’s life is desperate to keep her happy: her partners, parents, and terrified six-year-old daughter… Read More
Revisiting the Jones Act: From Protectionism to Partnership
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)
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… Read More
Korea’s Compressed Modernity and Its Risks
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Join us for our second conversation with Seoul National University sociology Professor Chang Kyung-Sup who will discuss various challenges posed by South Korea’s “compressed modernity.” He writes that the same strategies and conditions that enabled explosive development and modernization in South Korea… Read More
K-Quick with Judy Joo
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Chef, restaurateur, writer, and connoisseur of Korean fried chicken, Judy Joo has gained widespread acclaim for her vibrant approach to Korean cuisine. Now, she presents her latest collection of fresh, exciting recipes in K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less… Read More
Soju Party with Irene Yoo
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
With Soju Party, food writer, chef, and co-owner of Brooklyn’s Orion Bar Irene Yoo has written the book on drinking like a Korean. She introduces the classic Korean alcohols and how Koreans typically like to drink them and serves up unique cocktail recipes featuring Korean-inspired riffs… Read More
The Unseen Resilience of North Korean Female Defectors
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 4 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion on the unseen resilience of North Korean female defectors. Kim Seonghui and Na Min-Hee provide powerful personal testimony, describing their life and experiences in North Korea, their escape, and their new life in South Korea. Human rights advocate and expert Kwon EunKyoung… Read More
An Evening of JeongGa
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Step into the world of JeongGa (正歌), the refined vocal art once cherished by scholars and nobles of Joseon Dynasty. Join us for an evening of lyrical elegance with ALeum Lee‘s resonant voice, accompanied by WooSung Jung on DaeGeum (flute) and HeeJung Han… Read More
Ed Park: An Oral History of Atlantis with Mira Jacob
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
A deadpan, wildly imaginative collection of stories that slices clean through the mundanity and absurdity of modern life, An Oral History of Atlantis is the newest collection of short stories from Ed Park, the author of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize–winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams… Read More
Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)
Join us for an exclusive presentation featuring three distinguished investors – Bryan Kim (Andreessen Horowitz), Mike Kim (Third Prime), and Karen Moon… Read More
[YPN] Rooted in Giving: Leading Korean Voices in Philanthropy
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 6:30-8:30 PM (EDT)
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… Read More
Rapid Reaction: The First Trump-Lee Summit
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Join us for a timely discussion on the highly anticipated first meeting between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Taking place after the agreement of a new trade framework on July 30… Read More
North Korea’s Evolving Cyber Strategy
Wednesday, August 14, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion on the rising scale and sophistication of North Korea’s cyber operations with Mitch Haszard, senior threat intelligence analyst at Recorded Future… Read More
Author Talks: Cheon Seon-Ran
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A bestseller in Korea, The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-Ran is a biting, fast-paced vampire murder mystery exploring queer love and the consequences of loneliness… Read More
Remembering The Korean War
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 12:30 PM (EDT)
Join us for a conversation on the enduring legacy and impact of The Korean War and the U.S.-Korea Alliance. The Korean War Armistice Agreement, which remains in effect today, was signed 72 years ago on July 27, 1953… Read More
Korea-America Student Conference Final Forum
Friday, July 25 , 2025 | 10:00 AM (EDT)
Join us for the Korea–America Student Conference (KASC) Final Forum which is being co-hosted by The Korea Society and the International Student Conferences (ISC). ISC facilitates three academic and cultural exchange programs per year which are organized by university students in the U.S., Japan, Korea and China… Read More
Author Talks: Kyung-Ran Jo
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
An atmospheric, melancholic novel about a successful sculptor who decides to commit suicide by artfully preparing and deliberately eating a lethal dish of blowfish, Kyung-Ran Jo‘s Blowfish is a postmodern novel in four parts… Read More
PROJECT BRIDGE YOUTH AMBASSADORS 2025 Community Presentation
Monday, June 30, 2025 | 6 PM (EDT)
Join us to celebrate the 2024-2025 participants of the longest running education program offered at the Society, the Project Bridge Youth Ambassador Program… Read More
Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape
Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 4 PM (EDT)
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… Read More
Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
What are the motivations and geopolitical significance of the ongoing partnership between the governments of North Korea and Iran? Join us for a program with Professor and Author Bruce E. Bechtol Jr… Read More
Artist Talk: Kyungmin Park & Jinsik Yoo
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Through figurative sculpture, two Korean-born artists transcend language and cultural barriers to tell their personal stories and express emotions that resonate universally… Read More
Unpacking South Korea’s Snap Presidential Election
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Join us for a rapid reaction analysis of South Korea’s 2025 Presidential election. This snap election was triggered by the impeachment of South Korea’s 13th democratically elected president, Yoon Suk-yeol, after he declared martial law last December… Read More
Future Present: Contemporary Korean Art with Andy St. Louis
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Join Andy St. Louis for an in-depth exploration of South Korea’s burgeoning art scene and the most intriguing artists who are at the forefront of a generational shift in Korean art. Working in the fields of painting, sculpture, installation, video and photography, these artists… Read More
Writing YA Novels with Claire Ahn and Kat Cho
Wednesday, May 28 , 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Young adult literature is rapidly becoming one of the most popular genres in publishing today. Also increasingly visible are YA novels featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander characters at the forefront… Read More
Seeds of Mobilization: The Authoritarian Roots of South Korea’s Democracy
Friday, May 16, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Joan E. Cho, Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University on her 2024 book Seeds of Mobilization: The Authoritarian Roots of South Korea’s Democracy… Read More
Women in Food Media
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
Chef and writer Caroline Choe sits down with three women with longstanding careers in the food editorial and media landscape–Christina Chaey, Myo Quinn, and Caroline Shin–to discuss the importance of diverse voices in food media… Read More
Author Talks: Soyoung Park
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Prepare for the thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling book from Korea, which was named a Cosmopolitan Best Young Adult Book of the Year and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year… Read More
The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon with Ankit Panda
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a conversation with Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on his newly published book: The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon… Read More
A Conversation with Ambassador (Ret.) Raymond Burghardt U.S. relations with Taiwan and America’s Asian allies under Trump 2.0
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 10:30 AM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion co-hosted by The Korea Society and Temple University Japan with Ambassador Raymond Burghardt, who served for many years as one of the leading Asian specialists in the U.S. Foreign Service. He was formerly Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) from 2006 to 2016… Read More
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values A Conversation with Ilyon Woo
Wednesday, April 23, 2024 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
With the ever-growing need to understand ourselves and humanity as a whole, it is necessary to examine the concepts of morality, ethics and universal values as guiding principles of the human condition. With generous support from Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation… Read More
Acting and Activism with Minnie Mills
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 4 PM (EDT)
Join us for a conversation on acting and activism with actress and North Korean human rights activist Minnie Mills and Korea Society policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre… Read More
Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos featuring her mother Nam Soon Ahn have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life… Read More
The Verdict on Korea’s Presidential Impeachment Case
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion about the legacy, implications, and a modern application of the theories from Gregory Henderson’s 1968 seminal text Korea: The Politics of the Vortex, with Edward J. Baker, advisor to the Harvard University Korea Institute, and Dr. Ingu Hwang… Read More
The Verdict on Korea’s Presidential Impeachment Case
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT)
Join us for this rapid reaction program held soon after the ruling of South Korea’s Constitutional Court on the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. If the impeachment motion is upheld, the country will have 60 days to hold a presidential election… Read More
Andrew Ahn: A Director’s Talk
Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
This spring, from director Andrew Ahn comes The Wedding Banquet, a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating the disasters and delights of family expectations, queerness, and cultural identity. With a pitch-perfect cast of multigenerational talent that includes Bowen Yang… Read More
Unlocking Korea’s Tech Potential – Strengthening U.S. Investment and Innovation
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 12:00 PM (EDT)
Korea’s thriving tech industry—driven by global brands and cutting-edge innovation—continues to attract substantial foreign investment, even as the regulatory landscape evolves. Korea’s recent proposed online platform regulations have drawn significant attention for its impacts on major tech companies and the broader competitive landscape in the country’s technologically advanced market… Read More
Charting Future Pathways for U.S.-Korea-Japan Trilateral Relations
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 4 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion on the current status and future pathways for U.S.-Korea-Japan trilateral relations, with Dr. Joshua Walker, President and CEO of Japan Society, and Emma Chanlett-Avery… Read More
The Flow of Ink and Color: A Journey of Korean Ink Painting by Sunglim Kim
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
In this lecture, Professor Sunglim Kim explores the history of ink painting in Korea, and examines its origin and development, both in the past and the present… Read More
Korean Peninsula Update with the NK News Team
Monday, March 17, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT)
Join us for a discussion on the latest developments in Korea, including domestic politics north and south of the 38th parallel, inter-Korean relations, US-North Korea developments, Russia’s role, and more, featuring team members from NK News… Read More
Women in Food Business
Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
As the food and hospitality industry continues to evolve and grow, the Asian faces in it have also become more visible. Despite the progress, there are still long-standing obstacles that women face both in and out of kitchen and business culture… Read More
Scaling SaaS: The Art of Storytelling & Investor Strategy
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 6 PM (EST)
Please join us for an insightful session with John Sung Kim, a serial SaaS founder of Five9 (NASDAQ: FIVN), DoctorBase, and Jetbridge. He will share his expertise on launching SaaS startups, emphasizing how compelling storytelling can drive investor engagement… Read More
Author Talks: Lee Chang-dong
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Lee Chang-dong is one of South Korea’s most celebrated and influential directors. Known internationally for his films Burning, Secret Sunshine, and Poetry, Lee’s work is characterized by his meticulous eye for detail and his exploration of social issues and complex characters… Read More
Sun & Ssukgat: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness, and Longevity Michelle Jungmin Bang with Kathleen Kim
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
As a Korean-American, Michelle Jungmin Bang grew up in a family of doctors, then spent years traveling, researching, and training in nutrition and preventative care to write and illustrate Sun & Ssukgat: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness, and Longevity… Read More
Nuclear Deterrence and Readiness Amid Escalating Threats with USAF Major General Jason R. Armagost
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | 12 PM (EST)
Join us for a program on deterrence and readiness with Major General Jason R. Armagost, who is the Commander of Eighth Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. “The Mighty Eighth” is responsible for the service’s bomber force… Read More
Challenges for Korea’s Democracy
Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 8 AM (EST)
Join us for a discussion about fallout from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s Martial Law declaration, his subsequent impeachment and the presidential transition in Seoul, challenges to South Korea’s democracy, and implications for the U.S.-Korea relationship and Korea’s foreign relations… Read More
Author Talks: Kim Suhyun & Anton Hur
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
In a world where it can seem impossible to feel you are ever good enough, and where it’s easy to judge yourself by the unrealistic standards, I Decided to Live as Me offers guidance and encouragement for celebrating yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin… Read More
Korea-US-China Trilateral Relations: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 2 PM (EST)
Join us for a discussion on the newly launched book: Korea-US-China Trilateral Relations in the Xi Jinping Era. The authors, Chung Duck Koo, Korea’s former Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Energy, and Yun Byung-se… 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
What to Expect: The Trump Administration’s Economic Security Policy on Asia
Friday, January 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM (EST)
Join us for a discussion on the Trump Administration’s economic security policy towards Asia with Navin Girishankar, president of the Economic Security and Technology Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)… Read More
Songs of Love from Hawai‘i: Director’s Talk
Monday, January 13, 2025 | 6 PM
Embark on a captivating musical journey weaving three compelling stories from Hawai‘i’s Korean diaspora with performances by remarkable musicians, including the Grammy Award-winning violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, the world renowned violinists Chee-Yun and Ignace Jang, and Keola Beamer… Read More
Join an intimate conversation with defector Seongmin Lee, who escaped North Korea in 2009. Hailing from the border town of Hyesan, Lee witnessed the tumultuous social and economic change in the wake of the 1990s famine. Lee converses with associate policy director Jonathan Corrado in this event marking the fourth anniversary of the release of the UN Commission of Inquiry Report on North Korea human rights.
Marking thirty years since the shift from authoritarianism to democracy in South Korea, the Korea Society hosts analysts and experts for an intimate discussion of the transition then, the flowering of democracy since, to include the Candlelight Movement, and the state of Korea’s democracy today. This is a small-group, special recording session.
PART 2
Thursday, February 15
3:00 PM
Special recording narration: Ms. Lauren Bernstein, Actors Equity
Introduction: Dr. Stephen Noerper, Korea Society
3:15 PM
Flowering of Korea’s Democracy: Mr. Philip Sherman, Citi (ret.)
3:20 PM
Evolution of Korea’s Democracy: Professor Sung-yoon Lee, Fletcher School
Discussion
4:00 PM
Coffee/Tea
4:15 PM
Korea 1987: Transitions Then and Since
Discussion
5:00 PM
Adjourn
Reception: Morton’s, 45th Street
Friday, February 16
10:00 AM
Korea’s Democracy and US-Korea Relations: Mr. Bruce Klingner, Heritage and Dr. Sue Mi Terry, CSIS, Mr. Scott Snyder, CFR, and Professor Sung-yoon Lee, Fletcher School, in conversation with Dr. Stephen Noerper, Korea Society
11:30 AM
Adjourn
Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sherman, Actors Equity, and the Korea Foundation
These first-Wednesday monthly roundtables draw members and supporters from policy, corporate, media, academe, and the United Nations to discuss and debate Korea’s leadership, regional relations or the North Korea challenge. The 2018 kickoff addresses issues of politics and policy in the lead-up to the Winter Games and takes place two days prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Korea Society senior director and Columbia adjunct professor Stephen Noerper addresses the lead-up to the Winter Games with a call-in from the Council on Foreign Relations’ Scott Snyder and the Center for a New American Security’s Patrick Cronin.
Against the backdrop of China’s mounting influence and North Korea’s growing nuclear capability and expanding missile arsenal, South Korea faces a set of strategic choices that will shape its economic prospects and national security. In South Korea at the Crossroads, Scott A. Snyder examines the trajectory of fifty years of South Korean foreign policy and offers predictions—and a prescription—for the future. Pairing a historical perspective with a shrewd understanding of today’s political landscape, Scott Snyder contends that South Korea’s best strategy remains investing in a robust alliance with the United States.
This event has been rescheduled from Wednesday, January 31 at 4 PM. It will now be held on Thursday, February 1 at 6 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
South Korea at the Crossroads
with
Scott Snyder
Freefor Korea Society Fellow, Patron, and Corporate members with RSVP
This noon session serving policy and corporate leaders examines politics, stability and security on and around the Korean Peninsula. This session features Dr. Sue Mi Terry, who has assumed leadership of Korea programs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Dr. Terry, who appears widely in media and was featured at a recent New Yorker event, speaks with Dr. Stephen Noerper, Korea Society senior director, and lends thoughts to likely developments in politics and security for Korea and her neighbors in 2018.
Forecasting Korean Politics and Security
with
Sue Mi Terry
Freefor Korea Society Fellow, Patron, and Corporate members with RSVP
Author Ned Forney and retired Admiral J. Robert Lunney discussed the Heungnam Evacuation and Lunney’s “Ship of Miracles” in this special holiday event commemorating the United Nation’s first humanitarian evacuation. Forney spoke to his major Seoul daily release profiling six descendants of those saved, including South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Lunney, who welcomed President Moon to Virginia during his first US visit as President, shares reflections on those harrowing days, acts of heroism, and the extraordinary flight to freedom.
A holiday reception follows, marking the December 1950 evacuation for members and guests, to include visitors from the United Nations nearby. The event also marks the 60th anniversary of the first Korea Society board meeting on December 12, 1957. Come celebrate the holidays and be touched by tales of sacrifice and the triumph of the human spirit and Korea-US friendship.
Thursday, December 14, 2017 | 4 PM
Heungnam Remembered
Korea Society Fellow, Patron, and Corporate members, please register HERE for complimentary tickets.
Ned Forney is a writer living in Seoul, South Korea. He is a former career educator and US Marine Corps veteran who has spent the past 8 years overseas, living in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, and most recently, South Korea. He is currently working on a non-fiction book about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign and Heungnam Evacuation. Ned frequently writes articles and gives lectures on the Korean War and Korean-American friendship. He is a graduate of The Citadel and is the grandson of the late BGen. Edward H. Forney, USMC, the control officer at Heungnam in December 1950. Ned’s articles and blog posts can be found at nedforney.com.
J. Robert Lunney enlisted in the United States Navy at 17 during the closing days of World War ll and served with the Naval Amphibious Forces-Pacific in the Mariana Islands operating out of Saipa,n for which he was awarded the Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. During the Korean War he served aboard the SS Meredith Victory with the Military Sea Transportation Service at the Inchon Landing and Heungnam Evacuation. He was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and U.S. Gallant Ship Citation together with the Combat Action Ribbon. The Guinness Book of World Records cites the wartime action of his ship in December 1950 at Heungnam as “the greatest rescue operation ever by a single ship by evacuating 14,000 refugees” threatened with annihilation by communist forces. In 1997 and 1998 Bob having been designated by the Dept. of Defense observed the joint recovery of American war dead in North Korea and met with the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on POW/MIA issues He received his Doctor of Law degree from Cornell University, and in 2006, in recognition of his humanitarian service during the Korean War, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Woosuk University, Jeonju, Korea.
The Korea Society concluded its fifth class in the Kim Koo Professional Series in November 2017. The professional series brings together senior professionals from media, corporate and international organizations for intimate roundtable discussion with US thought leaders on Korea and Northeast Asia. The Fall 2017 class featured speakers Sue Mi Terry of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Washington’s Korea policy; Russian professor Anna Kireeva on Korea-Russia relations; and former UN Panel of Experts member and US analyst William Newcomb on North Korea sanctions and financial cut-offs. The program is supported by the generous commitment of the Kim Koo Foundation and builds professional knowledge on Korea and networks for future cooperation. A sixth class takes place in March 2018.
