The Korea Society

November 28, 2022 - Join us for the Sixth Annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture! Eunbin Chung, Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and the 2022 Sherman Family Korea Scholar Lecture awardee, will address National Identity Affirmation and Trust in Korea, Japan, and China from a unique perspective. Legacies of conflict and distrust have made it difficult for East Asian countries to form regional institutions and overcome security dilemmas. Chung's research questions two conventional wisdoms related to these regional dynamics: 1) that distrust among states can be overcome through cultural convergence and appealing to a shared identity (such as the "European" identity developed through the creation of the EU) and 2) that strong, inward-focused national identities exacerbate inter-state distrust and conflict. Chung asks, Is this true? Do distinct national identities really impede international trust? Chung’s research advances the concept that trust not only can be built among nations when e

December 6, 2022 - Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize and the winner of a PEN/Heim Grant, Cursed Bunny is the wildly original debut story collection from Bora Chung, a rising star of Korean literature. Published in the US for the very first time and translated by the acclaimed Anton Hur, Chung’s stories are modern fables for the internet age, offering biting critiques on the patriarchy, capitalism, politics, and the reign of big tech. Blending elements of horror, fantasy, surrealism and sci-fi, Chung creates an absurd, chilling universe that illuminates the ills of contemporary society. Mirroring the simple style of the fairy tales and legends of storytellers like The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christen Anderson, the ten stories of Cursed Bunny are imaginative, thought-provoking and deeply unsettling, destined to haunt readers for weeks after reading. In this episode of Author Talks, Bora Chung discusses her career in Korea and her English debut. For more information, please visit the link below: htt

December 6, 2022 - A discussion on the most likely scenarios for the future of the Korean Peninsula, featuring: Korea Risk Group CEO Chad O’Carroll, NK News Director and Professor at Kookmin University Andrei Lankov, NK News Lead Correspondent Jeongmin Kim, and NK News Senior Analytic Correspondent Colin Zwirko, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado. Utilizing forecasts that rely on the trajectory of current conditions, the experts debate the best possible case, the worst possible case, and the most likely scenario. The experts also opine on how to avoid the most dangerous contingencies and create conditions for positive developments. Join us for this discussion informed by a rich tapestry of journalistic and academic inquiry. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1630-three-futures-north-korea-and-the-korean-peninsula

November 22, 2022 - South Korea holds the proud distinction of being the first independent Asian country to participate in a FIFA World Cup tournament in 1954. Still, Korea's success in soccer is forever linked with the 2002 World Cup: while co-hosting the tournament with Japan, Korea became the first team outside of Europe and America to reach the semi-finals. That event propelled Korea to the next stage in the world of soccer, as it became a home of world-class players, a robust professional soccer league, and the most dedicated fans. On the eve of Korea's eleventh total and tenth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance in Qatar, join us for a conversation with Steve Han about the history of soccer in Korea. Steve Han is a journalist specializing in sports and entertainment. He is currently a chief editor for Korea at soccer editorial agency Ganassa, writing for FIFA+, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund. In addition to a 14-year career as a football writer at Goal between 2008 and March 2022, he has also

October 25, 2022 - Join us for a discussion on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy trends and how they tie in with the latest developments of nuclear weapons and missiles on and around the Korean Peninsula. The discussion features Open Nuclear Network (ONN) Senior Analyst Rachel Minyoung Lee and Analysts Jaewoo Shin and Tianran Xu, and Lauren Sukin, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. Utilizing open source intelligence and satellite photos, as well as findings from academic inquiry, the experts unpack how new and developing weapons impact the security environment in Northeast Asia. This program is produced in partnership with Columbia University’s APEC Study Center. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1604-korean-peninsula-nuclear-update

October 24, 2022 - As global superstars put everything on the line for a special one-night-only concert, they face struggles both cultural and personal that threaten to dismantle one of the industry’s hottest labels. Featuring a cast of K-pop and musical theater stars, with 18 Broadway debuts, KPOP is a multimedia experience that explores the relentless discipline, raw talent, and commercial ambition behind the international sensation. KPOP has the distinction of being the first musical on Broadway celebrating Korean culture and it is the third Broadway musical that highlights API heritage with API representation in the cast and creative team. Join us for a conversation with the creative team behind the scene and cast members as they prepare to make their Broadway debut. About the Speakers: HELEN PARK (Music & Lyrics, Music Production & Arrangements) is best known for her work as composer-lyricist and music producer for the upcoming Broadway musical, KPOP, for which she is a three-time Drama Desk nomi

October 19, 2022 - This Quick Take on Korea discussion covers the latest issues impacting South Korea, the U.S.-Korea Relationship, and North Korea, with expert insights from Rob Rapson, former Chargé d'Affaires of U.S. Embassy Seoul. Robert Rapson is a former senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer whose 39-year diplomatic career spanned the Indo-Pacific region from Korea and Japan to Southeast Asia, India and Afghanistan. As Chargé d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission, led, managed, and motivated large multicultural U.S. Embassies in Seoul, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur to advance significant U.S. political, economic, commercial, security, law enforcement, and public diplomacy interests with those countries and across the Asia region during periods of major political transition and crisis. A recognized Korea/East Asia expert and skilled advocate, negotiator, team builder, strategic planner, editor and communicator who navigates with ease across senior-most levels of foreign governments, the corporate sector, and pu

October 11, 2022 - How do our stories transform as they are passed down to each generation? Prize-winning poet Su Cho explores the legacies of language and lore in her unforgettable debut collection, The Symmetry of Fish. Selected by Space Struck author Paige Lewis for the National Poetry Series, these poems trace the narratives and phrases of a Korean American immigrant family with absorbing tenderness and curiosity. Cho threads stories of food and folktales through her meditations on joy, grief, friendship, faith, and coming of age in the middle of nowhere. This inventive debut illuminates how language is not lost over generations but distilled into potency— continuously remade, hitched to new associations, and capable of blooming anew. In this conversation, Su Cho discusses her debut collection and the emerging tradition of Korean-American poetry. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1614-a-conversation-with-su-cho

October 6, 2022 - Join us for this discussion about the outside world’s attempts to reach the North Korean population through media, with Dong Hyuk Lee, Chief of Voice Of America’s Korean Service, and Dr. Jieun Baek, Fellow with the Korea Project and the Applied History Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1603-message-in-a-bottle-broadcasting-to-north-korea

September 23, 2022 - Join us for this expert panel discussion on the U.S.-ROK Alliance, featuring former National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Allison Hooker, Korea Society Board Chair Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens, and Korea Society Van Fleet senior fellow Dr. Katrin Katz, and moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado. How can the U.S. and South Korea work together to pursue shared objectives in an increasingly fraught and complex security environment? To optimize the approach, what adaptations or evolutions are needed to the shared diplomatic, economic, and security agenda? This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors. For more information about our supporters, please refer to our webpage here. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1602-u-s-rok-alliance-the-road-ahead

September 6, 2022 - Join us for this roundtable and podcast recording on North Korea-China Relations after The Singapore Summit, with Dr. Seong-Hyon Lee, senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation and a visiting scholar at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado, Dr. Lee’s talk explores the evolving relationship between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with a special focus on the time period between the U.S.-DPRK Summits in Singapore (June 2018) and Hanoi (February 2019). Dr. Lee scrutinizes documentary footage of the summits, reviews official Chinese and North Korean documents, and utilizes interviews with people in the know to reveal how Xi gradually increased his influence over Kim through their five summit meetings between March 2018 and June 2019. The talk concludes with some policy implications for the North Korean nuclear issue under the current Biden-Xi administrations. For more information, pl

September 1, 2022 - Still today, education remains inaccessible to millions of children across the globe. In meeting their educational needs, extensive technology use has become helpful in expanding the quality learning environment. This Young Professionals' Network program features Sooinn Lee, the Co-Founder and CEO of Enuma, Inc. Founded in 2012, Enuma has developed multiple award-winning digital learning platforms for youth and children, including those from under-resourced environments. Join us for a timely conversation with Sooinn as she will discuss her ongoing work and achievements in providing children of various backgrounds with high-quality education, along with her far-reaching vision and goals. This discussion will be moderated by Jay Oh, Senior Director of Arts and Culture of The Korea Society. This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1600-a-conversation-with-enuma

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce. This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy! PANEL TWO DISCUSSION Moderator Professor William I. Sauser, Jr. PhD, Auburn University Harbert College of Business Panelists Athar Khan, Director of International Specialty Sales, Del

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce. This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy! PANEL ONE - SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY Moderator Ambassador (Ret.) Charles Shapiro, Senior Advisor, The Pendleton Group of consultants Panelists General (Ret.) Vincent K Brooks, Former Un

Recorded July 14, 2022 - We are pleased to share the audio from our National Outreach program in Atlanta. On July 14, 2022, The Korea Society hosted "The Comprehensive, Strategic U.S.-Korea Alliance," a conference in Atlanta, Georgia produced in partnership with the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce. This event was held at the Commerce Club Atlanta. The conference was the rollout of a strategic initiative of the Society to highlight the diplomatic, security, business and investment aspects of the multifaceted, dynamic U.S.-Korea relationship. It was composed of keynote speeches, two morning panels, a luncheon, and a closing reception. The conference served to connect the local Atlanta and the wider Southeast U.S. audience with high-impact speakers who provided insights on a series of engaging topics. We hope you enjoy! For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1592-the-comprehensive-strategic-u-s-korea-alliance

July 19, 2022 - As one of the first Korean American actors to blaze a unique path through cultural and business barriers into the mainstream, John Cho’s esteemed career has spanned over two decades with compelling performances across film and television. Cho is also a former 7th-grade English teacher who grew up as a Korean immigrant kid in Texas and East L.A. (among many other places). This spring, he became an instant New York Times bestselling author when he published Troublemaker, an incredible middle grade novel highlighting the unique Korean American perspective as 12-year-old Jordan navigates the evening of the 1992 LA Riots. In this conversation with The Korea Society, Cho discusses his debut novel and career. “The novel weaves together large-scale issues of social injustice and interracial barriers with the intimate pain— and joy—of personal relationships. Equal parts suspenseful and emotionally insightful.” — Kirkus Reviews “A gripping work of historical fiction. . . Exploring a significant historic

July 13, 2022 - As part of our ‘Korea and Coronavirus Series,’ The Korea Society will again host a conversation with Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Tom Byrne, The Korea Society’s President/CEO. Dr. Manki Song, Deputy Director General of IVI will also join the interview. The speakers will focus on South Korea’s efforts on becoming a ‘K -Global Vaccine Hub,’ a new initiative to strengthen vaccine capabilities on COVID-19 as well as future pandemics. They will also highlight IVI’s continuous journey on overcoming the pandemic and its future plans on building public safety. This program will be recorded at IVI in Seoul when President Byrne visits South Korea in late June. For more information, please visit the link below: https://koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1593-discussion-on-k-global-vaccine-hub-with-dr-jerome-kim-and-dr-manki-song

June 16, 2022 - 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. The upcoming President’s Interview Series led by Tom Byrne, the President and CEO of The Korea Society will feature the representatives from three states for an in-depth conversation: Andrew Deye, Vice President, Head of Strategy at JobsOhio, Harry M. Lightsey III, Secretary of Commerce of South Carolina Department of Commerce, and Pat Wilson, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Economic Development. The panelists will discuss the significance of the new wave of Korean direct investment in the United States. They will also cover the business, economic and political angles of the investment in each state, and how this is contributing to the "compreh

June 15, 2022 - Meet the new generation of Korean American young adult novelists. Drawing inspiration from the Korean pop culture they grew up consuming and their personal journey as immigrant kids, these authors offer refreshing and compelling representations on myriads of subject matters, from intergenerational struggles and family bonds to identity issues. And they are conquering the bestseller lists while offering a mirror to the generations of young readers that they themselves did not have. Join our conversation with Claire Ahn, Kat Cho and Mary H. K. Choi, as they discuss the popularity of YA novels featuring Korean and Korean-American characters, the changing perception in the publishing industry regarding Asian American YA novels, and their remarkable stories. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1587-ka-ya-korean-american-ya-novels-authors

June 7, 2022 - King's College London Professor of International Relations, KF-VUB Korea Chair at the Brussels School of Governance, Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident) at CSIS, and Non-resident Fellow at Sejong Institute Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo discusses his new book Shrimp to Whale, which provides an account of South Korea’s extraordinary transformation from “the ashes of colonialism, partition and a devastating war” into “a boisterous democracy, a vibrant market economy, a tech powerhouse, and home to the coolest of cultures.” Please enjoy a 25% discount on pre-orders on the book with code DISTRO25 on this link here. This program was made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our corporate sponsors. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1573-shrimp-to-whale-south-korea-s-extraordinary-transformation