Leadership Trip
The Korea Society’s February 2026 Leadership Trip to Korea was conducted by Board Chair Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens, President & CEO Dr. Abraham Kim, and Vice President Jiyoung Suh.
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with supporters and partners of The Korea Society in Korea, the Society’s leadership travels to Korea annually to share updates on our current activities and strategic priorities. These meetings also provide an important opportunity to discuss issues affecting U.S.–Korea relations and to hear directly from our Korean stakeholders about their perspectives and concerns.
This year’s trip also offered a valuable moment to formally introduce our new President, Dr. Abraham Kim, to key contacts in Korea.
Between February 9 and 13, the leadership team met with a wide range of business, government, think tank, and professional leaders, including*:
Seung Joon Chang, Vice Chairman, Maekyung Media Group
Chang, In Hwa, Chairman and CEO, POSCO Holdings
Cho, Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea
Kang Choi, President, ASAN Institute
James Heller, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, US Embassy in Seoul
Pious Jung, CEO, CJ America Inc. and President of Content & Global Business, CJ ENM
Won Kyung Kim, President, Samsung Electronics
Dong Won Kim, President and CGO, Hanwha Life
Sung Kim, President of Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor Group
Mee Kim, Chairperson, Kim Koo Foundation
Yunju Ko, President, LG Global Strategy Center
Hawon Lee, Secretary General, Kwanhun Club
Jaesang Jason Lee, CEO, HYBE
Kenny Park, Founder and CEO, Simone
Jang Han Rhee, Chairman, Chong Kun Dang Holdings
Guido Song, President, Korea Foundation
Rae Eun Sung, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Young One Holdings Corporation
Kyung Shik Sohn, Chairman, CJ Group
Myung Hwan Yu, Senior Advisor, Kim & Chang
Young Kwan Yoon, Chairman, ASAN Institute
Jin Sik Yoon, Chairman, Korea International Trade Association (KITA)
* List in alphabetical order by last name
Lunch with Van Fleet Leadership Council Members
On February 10, during our leadership trip to Korea, the Society’s leadership team met with members of the Van Fleet Leadership Council (VFLC) based in Korea. Since its establishment in 2025, the VFLC has helped shape the Society’s future and advance its strategic vision. VFLC members include distinguished leaders from various industries in the U.S. and Korea, and the luncheon offered a discussion platform to gain their insights and advice on the Society’s activities as we strive to enhance our impact and long-term sustainability.
From left to right: Mee Kim, Chairperson, Kim Koo Foundation; Kathleen Stephens, Board Chair, The Korea Society; Abraham Kim, President and CEO, The Korea Society; Rae Eun Sung, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Youngone Holdings Corporation; Myung Hwan Yu, Senior Advisor, Kim & Chang; Jang Han Rhee, Chairman, Chong Kun Dang Holdings.
Press Roundtable
During the trip, Amb. Stephens and Dr. Kim had the opportunity to meet with members of the press to share their vision for the Society and their views on current issues in the U.S.–Korea relationship. The interview was highlighted in several major media outlets, including: The Asia Business Daily, Chosun Ilbo, Hankyoreh, The Korea Economic Daily, Maeil Business Newspaper, and Yonhap News.
