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Members' Newsletter | June 2025
by Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
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WELCOME MESSAGE
This June 3rd, South Korea will elect a new president to replace Yoon Suk Yeol. After the impeachment and removal of South Korea's former president from office, South Korea is advancing their presidential election date to this Tuesday, June 3rd. The former president declared martial law in December 2024, citing threats from "anti-state forces" and North Korea. His actions brought the country into an unprecedented political situation, which we will unpack in a rapid reaction program on the 2024 presidential election this Wednesday, June 8th.
Also taking place this month are five additional programs at The Korea Society, covering topics including arts & culture, politics, and business & economics. I hope to see you all in attendance at this month's programs!
Thank you for being a member of The Korea Society and for all you do to support our organization! Please help us connect with new members by spreading the word, sharing our programs, and providing this link to join our membership program. |
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IMAGE OF THE MONTH
by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society
Pharmaceuticals, immunological products, and biotechnology products have risen to become major items in global trade. In fact immunological products were the leading U.S. import from its largest trade partner, the European Union, more than cars and trucks in 2024. Searching for new engines of economic growth, the South Korea’s government’s 7th National Advanced Strategic Industry Committee meeting on December 20, 2024 pledged to extend financing amounting to W25.5 trillion in 2025 in four areas, namely semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, and biotechnology.
Already, South Korean firms are rapidly developing globally competitive prowess in biotechnology. For example, South Korea’s two leading drug makers, Celltrion, Inc. and Samsung Bioepsis, have captured more than half of the European biosimilar market, according to the Korean Economic Daily (see Image). (Biologic medicines are produced by living organisms, such as insulin, not by chemical synthesis, such as acetaminophen; biosimilar drugs are therapeutically equivalent to the reference biologic drug.) The Korea Society took notice of the rise of both companies during the pandemic. If you would like to learn more about Korea’s biopharmaceutical industry, I conducted interviews with Samsung Biologics CEO and President John Rim and Celltrion Group Chairman Jung-In Seo back in 2021. And the global role of the Seoul-located International Vaccine Institute is explored in a related interview I conducted with Director General Jerome Kim.
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UPCOMING EVENTS | JUNE 2025
ALL PROGRAMS
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Future Present: Contemporary Korean Art with Andy St. Louis
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT) | In-person & Livestream
Join Andy St. Louis for an in-depth exploration of South Korea's burgeoning art scene and the most intriguing artists who are at the forefront of a generational shift in Korean art. In his lecture, St. Louis will showcase the diversity of contemporary Korean art practices while situating them amid the global contemporary art conversation.
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Unpacking South Korea’s Snap Presidential Election
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | 8 AM (EDT) | Livestream only
Join us for a rapid reaction analysis of South Korea’s 2025 Presidential election with guest speakers Dr. Aram Hur, the Kim Koo Chair in Korean Studies and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Fletcher School, Tufts University, and Timothy W. Martin, the Korea bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal in Seoul.
This conversation is moderated by Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado and Policy Program Officer Chelsie Alexandre.
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From POW Camp to Muralist: The Untold Story of Lee Qoede
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EDT) | In-person only
Join Korean art historian and curator Jinyoung Jin as she reveals the fascinating life and art of Lee Qoede (1913–1965), a groundbreaking twentieth-century Korean painter shaped by the turbulent ideological battles of postliberation Korea. Jin will delve into Lee's journey, from surviving three years in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War to defecting to North Korea in 1953, a story that reflects profound resilience.
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Artist Talk: Kyungmin Park & Jinsik Yoo
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 5:00 PM (EDT) | Video Release only
Through figurative sculpture, two Korean-born artists transcend language and cultural barriers to tell their personal stories and express emotions that resonate universally. By sharing their unique perspectives and introspection, they offer alternative interpretations and an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
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Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 12 PM (EDT) | In-person & Livestream
Join us for a program with Professor and Author Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., who discusses Rogue Allies his new book co-authored with Professor Anthony N. Celso. During the program, Bechtol explains the motivations and geopolitical significance of the ongoing partnership between the governments of North Korea and Iran. A limited number of hardcover editions will be available for cash sale at a discounted rate of $20 at the event.
This program is moderated by Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado.
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Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape
Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 4 PM EDT | In-person & Livestream
Join Dr. Tae Hyung Kim, Commissioner of Invest KOREA- the national investment promotion arm of KOTRA, as he discusses Korea’s vibrant investment climate, covering emerging opportunities in key industries, government incentives, and market trends that shape Korea as a compelling destination for international business.
Our conversation will be moderated by Thomas J. Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society and Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea. This program is cohosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
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GALLERY EXHIBITION
2025 SUMMER EXHIBITION
SCULPTED VOICES | KYUNGMIN PARK & JINSIK YOO
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Exhibition Dates: May 8 - July 31
Through figurative sculpture, two Korean-born artists tell their personal stories and express emotions that resonate universally. Kyungmin Park's ceramic sculptures often feature childlike figures with expressive faces that convey a range of human emotions and experiences. Jinsik Yoo works with clay to create abstract representations of bodily forms, sculptures that embody the layered nature of existence.
The Korea Society Gallery is available by appointment only. Please contact info@koreasociety.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am - 4:30pm
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KOREAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
SUMMER TERM
The registration dates period for our Korean Language Program's Summer Term is now open and ends on July 6, 2025.
As part of our membership benefits, we're pleased to offer a 10% discount on language classes to all members of The Korea Society (at Individual Level+). Returning students from the previous term also receive a 10% discount for the term. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your language skills!
Our 2025 Summer Term runs from July 7 through August 30. Click the link below for more information!
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PAST HIGHLIGHTS | MAY 2025
Check out last month's programs!
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Spring 2025 Happy Hour
On May 1st, The Korea Society held a Happy Hour event for members, partners, and friends, to connect over drinks on our beautiful outdoor terrace! Our event was made possible by the sponsorship of Asian and Korean-owned small businesses, including Hummy Soju Seltzer, Lunar Hard Seltzer, Makku, Yobo Spirit House, and YOJU.
Stay tuned for the next members' happy hour, coming this fall!
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Author Talks: Soyoung Park
Promising even more dark secrets and shocking surprises, Snowglobe 2 sinks deeper into Chobahm's frozen world, where the only truth that matters is the story that's being told. In this episode of Author Talks, held at The Korea Society on May 6th, Soyoung Park discussed the English translation of her duology.
This conversation is moderated by The Korea Society's Arts & Culture Senior Director, Jay Oh.
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Women in Food Media
On May 15th, Chef and writer Caroline Choe sat down with three women with longstanding careers in the food editorial and media landscape – Christina Chaey, Myo Quinn, and Caroline Shin – to discuss the importance of diverse voices in food media, sharing their own experiences in their work, and what they hope will be the best way forward to allow for more voices and stories to be heard.
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Seeds of Mobilization: The Authoritarian Roots of South Korea's Democracy
On May 16th, we were joined by Dr. Joan E. Cho, Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University, for a discussion about her book Seeds of Mobilization: The Authoritarian Roots of South Korea's Democracy, which explores the nonlinear nature of South Korea’s democratization.
This program is moderated by Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. This program is made possible by the generous support of our individual and corporate members and the Korea Foundation.
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Writing YA Novels with Claire Ahn and Kat Cho
The Korea Society hosted a conversation on May 29ths between YA authors Claire Ahn and Kat Cho about their latest books, the growing popularity of YA novels with Korean and Korean-American characters, and the shifting views surrounding Asian-American YA novels among both readers and the publishing industry.
This program is moderated by journalist and children’s book critic Catherine Hong.
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We hope you are enjoying The Korea Society's programs! We are a non-profit organization that counts on donations from folks like you to enable us to continue to offer top-notch programs. Consider donating to help us |
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YOUTUBE SHORTS
Check out our past programs on The Korea Society's YouTube Channel. Subscribe today!
Thanks to our Media Program Associate Bradley Sheen, you can now see the best clips from our guest speakers on Youtube Shorts. Click on the most recent highlights shown here, or visit the page below for our full collection of shorts.
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CHECK OUT OUR MOST RECENT POST:
 "Next time in Flushing, forage for some acorns!"
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The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
We are always looking to improve the quality of our organization's programs and content! If you have any feedback, suggestions, or ideas about how we can improve, email us at development@koreasociety.org
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