Korea Society History: The Legacy of James Van Fleet.

I shall come back. You have made me a part of you. I know you are a part of me. I shall not ask you to give me back my heart.
I leave it with you.

-- Gen. James A. Van Fleet
Seoul, Republic of Korea
29 January 1953

On 29 January 1953, General James A. Van Fleet departed Korea as commander of the U.S. Eighth Army, having led the principal U.S., UN, and South Korean fighting force for almost two years. He promised at his departure and retirement that he would continue to serve as a champion for the Korean people, saying the “historical significance of Korea deserves perpetuation.” Having lost his only son, U.S. Air Force Captain James A. Van Fleet, Jr., in Korea, General Van Fleet knew firsthand the depth of American-Korean cooperation and friendship borne out of mutual respect and sacrifice.

James

The development of a native army like the Korean Army was one of our greatest accomplishments in Korea.

General Van Fleet petitioning the audience to contribute to his AKF emergency fund drive in support of Korean humanitarian aid on an episode of CBS’ “What’s My Line?” in July 1953

"In this spirit, General Van Fleet began campaigning for funds to support aid and reconstruction efforts in Korea almost immediately upon returning to the U.S. He served instrumental roles in the American-Korean Foundation (AKF), including serving as AKF chairman through the mid-1950s. After leading several successful humanitarian fundraising drives as leader of the AKF, General Van Fleet sought to expand his efforts beyond relief and into initiatives to strengthen ties between the peoples of the United States and Korea."

To this end, General Van Fleet recruited famed leaders such as Henry Luce of Time Life, William Randolph Hearst, Jr., Arthur Hays Sulzberger of The New York Times, Spyros P. Skouras of Twentieth Century Fox, the first Korean ambassador to the UN Ben C. Lim, Julliard President William Schuman, and prominent real estate developer William Zeckendorf. Together, this group, along with other business leaders and former military officers, founded the Korea Society.

Establishing the Society’s first office in the Graybar Building at 420 Lexington Avenue, General Van Fleet envisioned a non-profit organization that remained non-political and non-sectarian. Of utmost importance, in his view, was the strengthening of the U.S.-ROK alliance. Shortly after its founding along these principles, the Korea Society received a ringing endorsement from President Eisenhower, who wrote that he “heartily endorses” the organization as a means to enhance the “cultural wealth” of the United States and Korea and strengthen “a staunch friendship developed on the battlefields of Korea.”

General Van Fleet’s trade delegation to Korea meeting with President Kennedy before their departure, 1962

Since its founding, the Korea Society’s role has evolved in tandem with the deepening and strengthening U.S.-ROK bilateral relationship. In addition to alliance promotion, fundraising, and cultural events, General Van Fleet spearheaded other notable initiatives, such as leading a 1962 delegation of 28 American corporate executives to South Korea to provide guidance on industrialization and economic growth. Meeting with President John F. Kennedy before departing, the delegation went on to facilitate the planning of industrial projects supported by the U.S. government and American private industry.

General Van Fleet’s legacy lives on in the work of the Korea Society today. Through programs with prominent speakers in the areas of policy, culture, education, and the arts, the Korea Society continues to champion vibrant ties between the peoples of the United States and Korea.

Every year, the Korea Society awards its highest honor, the Van Fleet Award, to distinguished Americans and Koreans who have made an outstanding contribution to the U.S.-ROK alliance. Award honorees include Governor Brian P. Kemp, Korea International Trade Association Chairman Christopher Koo, Poongsan Group Chairman Jin Roy Ryu, Center for Strategic & International Studies President & CEO John J. Hamre, General Motors Chair Mary T. Barra, LG Chairman Kwang Mo Koo, U.S. Korean War Veterans the Honorable Charles B. Rangel and Salvatore Scarlato, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Honorary Chairman Yongmaan Park, BTS, Presidents Kim Dae-jung and George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassadors Ahn Ho-Young and Sung Kim, CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong Koo, and Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Please find a full list of award recipients here.