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 | January 2026
Published about 1 month ago • 10 min read
Members' Newsletter | January 2026
Editor: Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
Happy New Year to all our corporate and individual members! 새해 복 많이 받으세요.
Many Koreans traditionally start off the new year with a bowl of 떡국 (tteokguk), a simple rice cake soup. More than just a meal, the round slices of rice cake resemble coins, symbolizing prosperity, while the clear broth represents a clean slate to welcome the year ahead.
Soup, more broadly, holds special meaning in Korean culture. 미역국 (miyeok-guk), a seaweed soup traditionally eaten on birthdays, reflects wishes for health and long life through the long seaweed strands. Spicy soups are sought out when you're down or having a hard day, when it's understood that it's okay to sweat, tear up, and let feelings out. Often served from a big shared pot and eaten family-style, soup represents togetherness and connection.
With that sense of togetherness in mind, thank you to all our returning members and those who have newly joined our community. I hope this year brings you good health and many good meals.
Read on for more offers and programming planned for January across Business & Economics, Policy, Education, and Arts & Culture, and we look forward to bringing our community together at our 2026 Annual Membership Party on January 29.
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
High tariffs are a new political and economic reality in trading relations under President Trump. How much tariff revenue is the U.S. collecting on a country's goods? An analysis done by the Peterson Institute of International Economics shows that monthly tariff revenue as percent of monthly total import value (CIF) of goods sent from South Korea is 15.0% (September 2025). Although lower than China’s 35.2%, tariffs are higher for Korean imports than the World average of 10.4%. This puts Korea at a competitive disadvantage with countries whose effective tariff rates are lower. Tariffs are taxes collected by the US government from US businesses when they import goods. Although tariff revenue has recently surged, it accounted for only about 4% of total federal revenue, compared with 51% from individual income tax in fiscal year 2025. For insights on tariff policy, please see The Korea Society’s December 8 program, U.S.-Korea Economic Relations in a New Tariff Era: Economic and Industrial Perspectives, which featured a keynote address by Dr. Maurice Obstfeld, former Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund and one of the most influential voices in global macroeconomics.
From left to right: Changhoon Ha, Doosan Enerbility; Tom Byrne, The Korea Society; Tong-Soo (TS) Chung, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) Asia
An IMF “Chart of the Week” focused on the energy implications of Artificial intelligence (AI), an emerging driver of productivity and economic growth. The chart points out that electricity used by data centers alone, already as much as that of Germany or France, would by 2030 be comparable to that of India, the world's third-largest electricity user. Data centers’ voracious demand for electricity will have major implications for global electricity demand. See author Tae Kim'sbook talk at The Korea Society on the leading AI chipmaker on December 4, 2025: The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant.
X-energy Reactor Company, Rockville, Maryland, and Doosan Enerbility Company signed a binding Reservation Agreement on December 18, 2025 for the manufacture of components for 16 “SMRs” (small modular reactors). The agreement will support a global industrial supply chain capable of deploying new nuclear power generation capacity at scale. As part of the agreement, Doosan has committed to construct a new, state-of-the-art SMR fabrication facility in Changwon, South Korea. Doosan Enerbility is positioning itself to be a leading global manufacturer in the emerging SMR industry. Mr. Changhoon Ha, Nuclear Power Plant and SMR Project Director, gave a tour of Doosan Enerbility’s complex in Changwon to Mr. T.S. Chung, Country Director, Korea, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Asia and The Korea Society’s Tom Byrne on December 17, 2025.
2026 Annual Membership Party & Meet New President Dr. Abraham Kim
Thu, January 29, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EST) | In-person only
Happy New Year! The Korea Society is pleased to host its 2026 Annual Membership Party at The Korea Society, celebrating our community of members, supporters, and partners. The evening will feature Korean cuisine, live performances, and festive activities, including a raffle and auction. This event will also mark the formal introduction of our new president, Dr. Abraham Kim, an important milestone for the organization.
Tickets are available for purchase, with discounted member pricing, and will include complimentary dinner and one free raffle ticket.
Thu, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM | 725 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021
Join Asia Society's first Leo Bar Happy Hour of the new year! Celebrate with new friends, and learn about our lovely partner's upcoming programming and Asia Society 70th Anniversary events.
Members of The Korea Society are eligible to use the discount code LEOBARDISCOUNT to receive 20% off ticket purchase. Tickets include one free drink.
Tue, January 20, 2026 | 5:00 PM (EST) | Video Release only
Two Women Living Together, the bestselling Korean memoir by Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo, is an insightful and heartwarming book that offers a fresh perspective on female friendship, chosen family, and the different ways one can make a “good” life. A sensation in South Korea, its universal themes have led to its translation into multiple languages and a feature in The New York Times that highlighted its role in amplifying women's voices and challenging traditional familial structures in South Korea.
Korea’s rapidly advancing medical and biotechnology industries are reshaping how people pursue healthier, longer, and more connected lives—spanning AI-enabled diagnostics, precision medicine, global clinical collaboration, and wellness tourism. Join us for a timely discussion with William Ban (Himedi), Taesoo Sean Kim (IceMiller), and Ken Nesmith (Lunit) spotlighting Korea's health-tech startups, scale-ups, and leading institutions at the forefront of medical innovation.
Meet the student team finalists from the Startup Scene: 2025 Student Ideation Competition, newly rebranded this year as the Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition, and explore various NYC-wide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. This session highlights college/university-level student startup ideas and introduces programs, mentorship, and opportunities to help students take their first steps into the startup ecosystem.
Tue, January 27, 2026 | 5:00 PM (EST) | In-person only
In her solo exhibition, Ran Hwang presents large-scale installations that are both intricate and poetic, delicate yet dramatic, as they explore the cyclical patterns of life and the fleeting nature of beauty. Hwang creates her art through a meticulous and repetitive process, utilizing everyday materials such as paper buttons and pins. Through her work, Hwang evokes a sense of tranquility, inviting the viewer into an experience that seeks fulfillment and peace.
Wed, January 28, 2026 | 8:00 AM (EST) | Livestream only
Join us for a virtual program examining the strategic and geopolitical consequences of South Korea's emergent nuclear submarine program. The discussion features Dr. Sang Hyun Lee, Fellow Emeritus of the Sejong Institute, and Dr. James R. Holmes, J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, and is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado.
In her solo exhibition, Ran Hwang explores the cyclical patterns of life and the fleeting nature of beauty, evoking a sense of tranquility. Hwang creates her art through a meticulous and repetitive process, utilizing everyday materials.
To make a gallery appointment, please contact info@koreasociety.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
The Korean Language Program's 10-week Winter Term begins on Monday, January 12th and runs through March 21st.
Registration is now open and late registration will run until Sunday, January 18th. 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 an additional 10% discount.
The KLP offers nine-levels of instruction along with numerous conversation classes. Further, throughout the term two-hour workshops focused on learning Korean through K-Pop, folktales, drama, literature and other areas are available. So, continue to check out our KLP website frequently for the most up-to-date listing of offerings.
Application Period: December 15 to March 30 (11:59 PM EDT)
The “Startup Scene: Emerging Design Competition” is designed to encourage innovative thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit among Korean-American and Korean students enrolled in colleges, universities, and graduate schools across the United States.
This year, the participants are challenged to pitch an innovative startup concept that leverages emerging technologies to address pressing challenges and issues.
Prizes: The top 3 teams will receive a monetary prize (1st place: $5,000), as well as a travel stipend to attend the Startup Scene Annual Forum in NYC on May 21, 2026.
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.
The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant with Tae Kim
The Korea Society held a conversation on December 4th 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.
Korean American Next-Generation Networking Event
The Korea Society and EnoB, with the generous support of the Korean Consulate General in New York, returned with the 2025 Korean American Next-Generation Networking Event at The Korea Society on December 5th.
With distinguished speaker, Prof. Jeongki Lim, Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, we learned about his experiences and perspectives on professional growth, leadership, and navigating the evolving landscape of AI. Participants connected with peers across diverse industries through an event-filled program with opportunities for professional development, networking, dinner and drinks, and more.
U.S.-Korea Economic Relations in a New Tariff Era: Economic and Industrial Perspectives
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).
Our Young Professionals’ Network series hosted a panel discussion on December 10th 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. Hear from our speakers: Melissa Choi, Global Marketing Director at Elizabeth Arden Skincare (Revlon), and Youngjin Yoon, Director at Morgan Stanley.
US-Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation with Jeffrey Voth
On December 11th, we were joined for a conversation on the obstacles and pathways for enhanced US-Korea shipbuilding cooperation by 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?" Drawing on decades of shipbuilding and combat system integration experience, Jeffrey Voth discusses 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
We hosted a discussion with Ambassador Peter Semneby, the Swedish Government's Special Envoy for the Korean Peninsula on December 18th at The Korea Society. 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.
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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