Korea Society
Encyclopedia
The Korea Society is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization with individual and corporate members that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States
and Korea
. In pursuit of its mission, the Society arranges programs that facilitate discussion, exchanges and research on topics of vital interest to both countries in the areas of public policy, business, education, intercultural relations and the arts.
The Korea Society traces its roots to 1957 when a group of prominent Americans, under the leadership of General James A. Van Fleet
of Korean War
fame, established the first nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to the promotion of friendly relations between the people of the United States and Korea "through mutual understanding and appreciation of their respective cultures, aims, ideals, arts, sciences and industries." As it exists today, the Society is the successor to several interconnected organizations pursuing aspects of these objectives which were established through the joint efforts of Americans and Koreans over the ensuing decades, most notably, the New York-based U.S.-Korea Society and the Washington, DC-based U.S.-Korea Foundation. In June 1993, these two organizations were merged to form The Korea Society under the leadership of the Hon. Donald P. Gregg
, a former U.S. Ambassador to Korea.
The Society's funding is derived from contributions, foundation grants, membership dues and program fees. It is governed by a distinguished Board of Directors drawn from the fields of business, the professions, academia and public affairs with the support of an Advisory Council whose members are leading public figures in Korea and the U.S. Through its headquarters in New York City
and program affiliates in other major U.S. cities, the Society engages diverse audiences across the United States and in Korea.
Each year, The Korea Society gives its James A. Van Fleet Award
“to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.” It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the field of U.S.–Korea relations.
In 2006, The Korea Society became the official organizing body for the annual New York Korean Film Festival
. Operating since 2001, the New York Korean Film Festival has become the largest showcase of Korean-made films in North America.
, who served as both president and chairman of the board. In January 2007 Gregg stepped down as president while retaining his post as chairman of the board.
In September of 2009, Thomas C. Hubbard
was elected chairman of the board of The Korea Society, with Donald Gregg retiring to the role of chairman emeritus.
In April 2010, Evans J.R. Revere, a former Northeast Asia specialist with the U.S. State Department and the fellow in Diplomatic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
, resigned as president.
In May 2010, Mark C. Minton, U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia until September 2009, joined The Korea Society as president. Minton's foreign service career dates back to 1977, when he served as Political Officer in Tokyo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. In pursuit of its mission, the Society arranges programs that facilitate discussion, exchanges and research on topics of vital interest to both countries in the areas of public policy, business, education, intercultural relations and the arts.
The Korea Society traces its roots to 1957 when a group of prominent Americans, under the leadership of General James A. Van Fleet
James Van Fleet
James Alward Van Fleet was a U.S. Army officer during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Van Fleet was a native of New Jersey, who was raised in Florida and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. He served as a regimental, divisional and corps commander during World War II and as...
of Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
fame, established the first nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to the promotion of friendly relations between the people of the United States and Korea "through mutual understanding and appreciation of their respective cultures, aims, ideals, arts, sciences and industries." As it exists today, the Society is the successor to several interconnected organizations pursuing aspects of these objectives which were established through the joint efforts of Americans and Koreans over the ensuing decades, most notably, the New York-based U.S.-Korea Society and the Washington, DC-based U.S.-Korea Foundation. In June 1993, these two organizations were merged to form The Korea Society under the leadership of the Hon. Donald P. Gregg
Donald Gregg
-Personal history:Gregg worked for the CIA for 31 years, from 1951-1982. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the military and received training as a cryptanalyst. He then attended Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, until 1951. Upon his graduation, he was recruited by the CIA...
, a former U.S. Ambassador to Korea.
The Society's funding is derived from contributions, foundation grants, membership dues and program fees. It is governed by a distinguished Board of Directors drawn from the fields of business, the professions, academia and public affairs with the support of an Advisory Council whose members are leading public figures in Korea and the U.S. Through its headquarters in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and program affiliates in other major U.S. cities, the Society engages diverse audiences across the United States and in Korea.
Each year, The Korea Society gives its James A. Van Fleet Award
James A. Van Fleet Award
The General James A. Van Fleet Award , given annually since 1995 by The Korea Society, is awarded “to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.” It is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of...
“to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.” It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the field of U.S.–Korea relations.
In 2006, The Korea Society became the official organizing body for the annual New York Korean Film Festival
New York Korean Film Festival
The New York Korean Film Festival was created by Korean Film Forum and Subway Cinema in 2001. In 2002, the Korean Film Forum took over full responsibility for the New York Korean Film Festival, while Subway Cinema focused on the creation of the New York Asian Film Festival.The Korean Film Forum was...
. Operating since 2001, the New York Korean Film Festival has become the largest showcase of Korean-made films in North America.
Leadership
From 1993 to 2007, The Korea Society was headed by Hon. Donald P. GreggDonald Gregg
-Personal history:Gregg worked for the CIA for 31 years, from 1951-1982. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the military and received training as a cryptanalyst. He then attended Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, until 1951. Upon his graduation, he was recruited by the CIA...
, who served as both president and chairman of the board. In January 2007 Gregg stepped down as president while retaining his post as chairman of the board.
In September of 2009, Thomas C. Hubbard
Thomas C. Hubbard
Thomas C. Hubbard is a diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines and South Korea . He is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy.-References:...
was elected chairman of the board of The Korea Society, with Donald Gregg retiring to the role of chairman emeritus.
In April 2010, Evans J.R. Revere, a former Northeast Asia specialist with the U.S. State Department and the fellow in Diplomatic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
, resigned as president.
In May 2010, Mark C. Minton, U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia until September 2009, joined The Korea Society as president. Minton's foreign service career dates back to 1977, when he served as Political Officer in Tokyo.