This monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community of members informed about our latest achievements, upcoming programs, and other exciting updates.
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The Korea Society's Members' Newsletter | December 2025
Published 13 days ago • 10 min read
Members' Newsletter | December 2025
Editor: Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to December, to The Korea Society's corporate and individual members!
The winter solistce, or Dongji (동지), is observed on December 22 this yearand signifies not only the longest night of the year, but also a turning point: from this day on, sunlight returns and the calendar moves forward toward renewal. A tradition around this time of year is sharing a bowl of patjuk (팥죽), orred-bean porridge. In Korean folklore, the bright red color was thought to protect households from bad spirits and to invite good luck for the coming year.
As we close out 2025, we want to thank our membership community for joining us through our very own turning point at The Korea Society. Your participation in reshaping our membership program this year has allowed for incredible community growth, not just in number but in the engagement brought to new members-only gatherings, offerings, and more. Your feedback continues to shape what we do, and we hope you’ll keep telling us how we can make membership even more valuable in the year ahead.
To show our appreciation, we’re also hosting a December giveaway for new and renewing members. Read on to learn more about this offer and all other programming we have planned for the rest of the year across business & economics, policy, education, and arts & culture.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming 2026 Annual Membership Party on Thursday, January 29, and I hope you all have a great holiday season!
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.
IMAGE OF THE MONTH
by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society
“Affordability” was a big issue in November’s mayoral election in New York City, and it seems likely to remain a prominent issue in the 2026 midterm elections. High prices that we are all paying on the things that we buy are part of the affordability issue. How is the U.S. faring, compared with Korea, in regard to consumer price inflation? The chart below shows the rise in the level of consumer prices in Korea since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic in January 2020 (solid line) and the changes in monthly inflation over the past 12 months (bars). Prices were about 17.1% higher in October 2025 than they were in January 2020. Korea’s performance has been better than the U.S.’s, with prices 25.2% higher from January 2020 through September 2025, according to the latest FRED St. Louis Fed data series. And, this is despite a 25% depreciation of the won against the dollar since 2020, which raises prices of imported goods.
Moody's Analytics
The stronger control of inflation in Korea is in part owing to fiscal restraint. The IMF forecasts that Korea’s budget deficit will be 1.5% of GDP in 2025, versus a U.S. federal government deficit of 5.9% of GDP in FY2025, according to the Congressional Budget Office—a deficit much higher than the long-run historical average which has persisted since the 2020 pandemic. But, much credit should go to the steady hand of the Bank of Korea on monetary policy. For more on the importance of central bank independence and the objectives of the Bank of Korea’s monetary policy, please see the Society’s Leadership Series interview with Governor Rhee Chang Yong, conducted during the October IMF Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Korea Society is delighted to announce our annual holiday giveaway: one complimentary Sulwhasoo gift set for anyone newly joining or renewing their membership in the month of December. Renewing in December will extend your membership to include the additional months added during this promotional period through the following year.
The giveaway begins at the Individual Level (or donation of $50 or more) and ships only to U.S. addresses. Mailing will begin in January.
Plan your renewal in December, or share this offer with friends and family who want to join, to enjoy this special holiday gift!
Tue, December 9, 2025 | 3:00 PM (EST) | In-person only
Co-hosted with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, The Korea Society examines how rising tariffs and currency fluctuations are reshaping global value chains, trade, and investment between the two nations. The program features keynote speaker Dr. Maurice Obstfeld, former Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, followed by a panel discussion featuring insights from Tony Davis (The Manufacturing Institute-FAME USA), Scott Gorski (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP), Yoonie Kim (AtkinsRéalis), and Steve (Sang Soo) Son (SK Americas).
ALL PROGRAMS
No longer accepting responses.
Korean American Next-Generation Networking Event
Thu, December 5, 2025 | 6:00 PM (EST) | In-person only
The Korea Society, in collaboration with EnoB, and with the generous support of the Korean Consulate General in New York, returns with the 2025 Korean American Next-Generation Networking Event. This year’s event will be held in-person at The Korea Society and feature Prof. Jeongki Lim, Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, who will share his experiences and perspectives on professional growth, leadership, and navigating the evolving landscape of AI.
Participants will connect with peers across diverse industries through an event-filled program with opportunities for professional development, networking, dinner and drinks, and more. This event is open to students and early-career professionals.
The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant with Tae Kim
Tue, December 9, 2025 | 10:00 AM (EST) | Video release only
Tune in for our conversation with Tae Kim, author of The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant. Now as the world's leading AI chipmaker, Nvidia offers a fascinating window into the new era of global entrepreneurship. This conversation, moderated by our director of business & economics program Sojeong Kim, will take you inside the forces shaping our AI-powered future and offer fresh insights into the culture, strategy, and leadership behind Nvidia's rise as a global technology leader.
Our Young Professionals’ Network series is hosting a panel discussion walking through the experiences of leaders who have built global careers, exploring what it takes to navigate leadership roles in multinational companies, make major career transitions, and think strategically on a global scale.
Speakers include:
Melissa Choi: Global Marketing Director at Elizabeth Arden Skincare (Revlon)
Youngjin Yoon: Director at Morgan Stanley
Join us for this conversation, followed by an opportunity for discussion and networking with the speakers.
US-Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation with Jeffrey Voth
Thu, December 11, 2025 | 4:00 PM (EST) | Live webcast only
Join us for a conversation on the obstacles and pathways for enhanced US-Korea shipbuilding cooperation with Jeffrey Voth, President of Herren Associates, Inc. and author of the recent article, "The US-ROK test case: Can visas and rules unlock American shipbuilding?" Jeffrey Voth will discuss construction challenges and allied collaboration opportunities in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.
Sweden's Role in Korean Peninsula Diplomacy with Ambassador Peter Semneby
Thu, December 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM (EST) | Live webcast only
Join us for a discussion with Ambassador Peter Semneby, the Swedish Government's Special Envoy for the Korean Peninsula. In conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado, Ambassador Semneby will provide a brief overview history of Sweden's role in Korea, examine Sweden's convening capacity as exhibited in 2018-2019, investigate whether Sweden's interests and perspective have been affected by North Korea's involvement in the Russo-Ukraine War and Sweden's ascension to NATO, and explore ideas for how to break the current impasse.
KOREAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
The Korean Language Program Winter Term opens on December 15th. 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 receive an additional 10% discount.
📅 Tue, Dec 16 @ 7:00 PM (EST), via Zoom Korean Travel: Survival Language & Travel Tips Workshop ($45): Planning to travel to Korea? Learn how to navigate around planning your travel, ordering food, introducing yourself, etiquette, transportation, and more!
📅 Mon, Dec 22 @ 8:00 PM (EST), via Zoom
Korean Through K-Pop Workshop ($40): Explore Korean grammar, expressions, and culture using K-pop songs. Lyrics will guide discussions on everyday language, cultural references, and advanced grammar.
The Spring 2026 application for the Society’s Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Travel Grant is now accepting applications!
Given the Society’s commitment to promoting a greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the U.S. and Korea, this travel grant has been created to ensure a wide-range of undergraduate students have the opportunity to experience Korea’s beauty, culture, and history first-hand as they make personal and professional connections that will last a lifetime.
On November 3rd, we were joined by Kate Kalutkiewicz (McLarty Associates), ProfessorJaemin Lee, (Seoul National University), and Scott Jacobs (Coupang) for a rapid reaction analysis of The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum 2025 summit. The discussion examines the most significant outcomes in terms of trade and geopolitics, with special emphasis on the US-Korea relationship.
This program was moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado and policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre and co-hosted by The APEC Study Center at Columbia University.
Interview with Bank of Korea Governor Rhee, Chang Yong
On November 4th, we released a timely conversation between Dr. Rhee, Chang Yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea and Thomas Byrne, President & CEO of The Korea Society, discussing key issues shaping global and domestic economic policy.
This video was recorded at the Korea Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Center (KIPEC) in Washington D.C. during Governor Rhee's visit to D.C. to attend IMF/WBG Annual Meetings and the G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors Meeting in October 2025.
Connect with Korea: Opportunities For U.S. Students
Through a live webinar co-hosted by The Korea Society and International Student Conferences (ISC), we presented a virtual session on November 4th highlighting ways for U.S. college and university students to engage with Korea through a range of Korea-related activities and academic programs, including study abroad opportunities, cultural exchanges, and professional networking. Participants met directly with program representatives to learn more about each initiative featured in this session.
Reframing Suicide as a Shared Social Responsibility in Korea, with Dr. Peter Jongho Na
The Korea Society was pleased to host the ninth annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Awardee, Dr. Peter Jongho Na, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, on November 10. In his lecture, Reframing Suicide as a Shared Social Responsibility in Korea, he examines the scale and societal costs of suicide in Korea and analyzes key structural drivers such as academic and workplace pressures, poverty and isolation among older adults, and the pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness and treatment.
2025 Van Fleet Policy Forum: US-Korea Cooperation Across Domains and Through History
The Van Fleet Policy Forum was held in The Atlantic Council’s office in Washington D.C. and produced in partnership with the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative in The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Through panel discussions, keynote remarks, and networking opportunities, the forum convened senior thought leaders from the US and Korea for dynamic, informative, and analytical discussions on security, diplomacy, geoeconomics, and alliance history.
The Young Professionals' Network hosted Mentoring Day 2025, an evening of career insights, networking, and guidance for young professionals, on November 14th at The Korea Society and in partnership with KOTRA New York and the Korean Consulate General. The program featured two sessions: one led by mentors sharing experience-based insights on employment across the U.S. and Korea, and another led by a legal expert providing practical guidance on U.S. visa and labor laws.
Modern Architecture in Korea: Travels through Terra Incognita
On November 17th, The Korea Society hosted a lecture about modern Korean architecture, now in crisis for its uncertain response to the challenges of climate change and Korea’s turn to structural low-growth. Its build first, think later (if at all) condition has rebuffed holistic narratives of its disjunctive evolution, as it has been shaped by war, colonial rule, and rapid modernization, but now spans corporate firms, creative studios, and cultural communities. Presented by 2025 Korea Foundation LAB Series, the lecture features Pai Hyungmin, a distinguished architect and scholar.
The Korea Society hosted a Lessons Learned program, co-hosted by the Korea Finance Society (KFS), on November 19th featuring Tony Kim, Head of BlackRock’s Global Technology Equities Team. In conversation with Helena Chao (Bank of America), he shared insights from his career in global equities and tech investment management and offered practical guidance on navigating careers in a fast-changing, competitive field.
Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared | The Curatorial Roundtable
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art presents Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared, the first U.S. exhibition of significant works from the renowned Lee Kun-Hee Collection (on view through February 1, 2026). In a conversation with The Korea Society on December 2nd, three curators from the National Museum of Asian Art–Carol Huh, J. Keith Wilson, and Sunwoo Hwang–explored the depth and diversity of Korean art and reflect on the practice of collecting in Korea. This conversation is moderated by The Korea Society Senior Director of Arts & Culture, Jay Oh.
Korea-China Relations: A History of Intervention with Dr. Ji-Young Lee
On December 4th, we were joined by Dr. Ji-Young Lee for an examination of the circumstances and methods of Chinese military intervention in the Korean Peninsula, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado. Dr. Lee is Associate Professor of International Relations at American University's School of International Service, and author of China's Hegemony: Four Hundred Years of East Asian Domination (2016) and an upcoming work under contract titled: The Great Power Next Door, a historically informed analysis of when and how China has chosen to militarily intervene in the Korean Peninsula.
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.
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
A 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.
This monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community of members informed about our latest achievements, upcoming programs, and other exciting updates.
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