Latest News
A Milestone Trip to Seoul and a Strong Start Toward Our 70th Anniversary
The U.S.–Korea alliance is growing well beyond security, and Korea’s leaders are ready to build its next chapter with The Korea Society.
From October 19 to 22, 2026, Korea Society leadership traveled to Seoul for nearly 25 meetings in four days, building on the momentum of our record-setting September 28 Annual Gala honoring NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. The delegation included:
- Amb. (ret.) Kathleen Stephens, Board Chair
- Amb. (ret.) Philip Goldberg, Incoming Board Chair
- Dr. Abraham Kim, President & CEO
- Hae Kyung Ahn, Senior Advisor for Outreach
The delegation met with valued sponsors, senior officials, business associations, media leaders, and institutional partners, including:
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun
- Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Hojung
- Hanwha Life Vice Chairman Kim Dong Won
- Doosan Business Research Institute CEO Dr. Kim Seong-Tae
- Hyundai Motor Group President Amb. (ret.) Sung Kim
- Samsung Electronics President Kim Won-Kyong
- LG Global Strategy Center President Amb (ret.). Ko Yunju
- Chong Kun Dang Holdings Chairman Dr. Rhee Jang Han
- Dunamu Chairman Song Chi-hyung
- Yougone Corporation Vice Chairman Sung Rae Eun
- Misto Holdings President Kevin Yoon
- CKD Kochon Foundation Chair Chung Jae Jung
- Kim Koo Foundation Chairperson Dr. Kim Mee
- Korea Foundation President Amb (ret.) Song Guido
- AmCham Korea Chairman James Kim
- Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Vice Chairman Kim Jeong Il
- Association of American State Offices in Korea (ASOK), Kwanhun Club and Korea Peninsula Pioneers Group, a network of young professionals
Highlights from the trip:
- Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative (CCLI): Partners embraced CCLI as a practical response to workforce and community integration challenges tied to Korean investment in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and beyond.
- National outreach: Leaders voiced broad support for The Korea Society expanding beyond New York and Washington, DC.
- AI and energy: Discussions spotlighted AI infrastructure, robotics, nuclear and gas power, and energy storage as the next pillars of the alliance.
- Next-generation engagement: Partners encouraged new ways to reach younger Americans, Korean Americans, and young Korean professionals, including through digital media.
- 70th anniversary: Partners committed to collaborating on and supporting 2027 programming in Seoul and New York.
- Board leadership transition: Partners joined us in thanking Amb. (ret.) Kathleen Stephens for six years as Board Chair and welcoming Amb. (ret.) Philip Goldberg as our incoming Chair.
Across every meeting, the message was clear:
Korean government, corporate, and civic leaders see
The Korea Society as a trusted, non-partisan bridge.
The best is ahead.
Stay connected as we build toward our 70th anniversary in 2027!
