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The Korea Society's Members' Newsletter | July 2025
Published 6 months ago • 9 min read
Members' Newsletter | July 2025
by Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
Happy Fourth of July to all our U.S.-based readers! As many of us enjoy some classic combination of barbecues, beach visits, firework displays, and family gatherings to observe the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, South Korea will also be celebrating the enactment of an important document in its own history this month.
Following liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Korea was divided by the occupation of Allied and Soviet forces. In the effort to build a new government system, democratic elections were held to form a National Assembly, which went on to draft the first Constitution of the Republic of Korea (read here). Constitution Day (제헌절) honors the historic day the Constitution was signed by the Republic of Korea's founding President Syngman Rhee on July 17th, 1948. This date holds added significance, as it also marks the founding of the Joseon Dynasty by King Taejo on July 17th, 1392.
At The Korea Society, our July programs reflect on these pivotal moments in history while also amplifying contemporary voices shaping the U.S.-Korea relationship. Read on to learn how you can join us as we honor shared narratives and look ahead to the future.
VAN FLEET LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The Korea Society is proud to announce the inauguration of the Van Fleet Leadership Council, a newly established advisory body formed to help shape the organization's future. Comprised of prominent leaders who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of strengthening the U.S.-Korea relationship, the VFLC will provide strategic guidance to The Korea Society's President & CEO and Board of Directors, while also advising The Korea Society on its activities. We look forward to working with the VFLC members in the future. Learn more about the council members here.
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
Congressman Rangel speaking at The Korea Society Armistice Commemoration on July 27, 2018
Former ROK New York Consul General Hyosung Park with Congressman Rangel in front of the NY Korean War Veterans Memorial in Battery Park (taken in 2019)
Congressman Rangel greeting veterans of the Korean War during the 2019 Korea Society Armistice Day Commemoration
Congressman Charles B. Rangel passed away on May 26, Memorial Day. I attended his funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 13, 2025. Here are extracts from the obituary:
“Rangel grew up in Harlem enlisted in the U.S Army in 1948. During the Korean Way he engaged in combat operations and rescued 40 soldiers. As a result, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor.
He married his beloved wife, Alma, in 1964. That year he also co-founded the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club. Rangel was involved in civil rights, and he marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in March 1965.
He ran for a seat in the New York State Assembly and won in 1966—serving two terms. Then, in
1970, Rangel challenged the seat of legendary Harlem congressman, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.,
and won that historical election. He co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus to promote the
interests of African-Americans.
Congressman Rangel was one of the longest serving members, representing New York’s 13 th
Congressional District from 1971 to 2017. He was an efficient legislator and a masterful
politician with an impactful record—40 of his bills and resolutions became U.S. law. Among his
many landmark accomplishments was The African Growth and Opportunity Act.*
After decades of service, Congressman Rangel published his acclaimed book, “And I Haven’t Had
a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress,” in 2007. The title of the
book is a nod to the story he often told relating to a pivotal moment he experienced while in
combat in Korea. What he experienced on the battlefield was so horrific that after God’s grace
in sparing his life, every day since has been a blessing and a “good” day.”
At the Korea Society’s 2019 Armistice Day commemoration, NYC Council Member Paul Vallone praised
Congressman Rangel, “…if there ever was a more perfect example of the union between the United
States and Korea, it has to be you. We have to give another round of applause to our congressman. In
my district in Northeast Queens, the Korean and Asian community is flourishing and you wouldn’t be at
an event there if you didn’t see Congressman Rangel at every time.”
Here are the links to The Korea Society’s activities in which Congressman Rangel participated--the 2018
and 2019 Armistice Day Commemoration programs and his speech at the 2020 (virtual) Annual Dinner
when he accepted the James A. Van Fleet Award on behalf of the U.S. Korean War Veterans.
*Since enactment in 2000, the AGOA has been at the core of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa, providing eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty- free access to the U.S. market. To be eligible, countries must establish or make continual progress toward establishing a market-based economy, the rule of law, political pluralism and the right to due process, and the protection of human rights. Additionally, countries must eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment.
Thank you to all our members for your continued support. We hope you're enjoying The Korea Society's 2025 updated membership benefits so far!
This month, 10 winners will be selected to win a free tote bag with The Korea Society's logo! Submit the attached Google Form by July 31, 2025 at 5pm (EDT) to enter for a chance to win.
The gift items will be mailed to our winners in the first week of August.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 5:00 PM (EDT) | Video Release only
Kyung-Ran Jo's Blowfish is a postmodern novel that delves into the inner life of a woman contemplating her failures in love and art. The lethal taste of blowfish, which one cannot help but eat even though one may die in doing so, approximates the inexorable pains of writing a novel. In this episode of Author Talks, Jo discusses her career in Korea and the English translation of her novel.
This program is moderated by The Korea Sociey's Senior Director of Arts & Culture, Jay Oh.
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 12:30 PM (EDT) | In Person & Livestream
Join us for a conversation on the enduring legacy and impact of The Korean War and the U.S.-Korea Alliance. Introductory remarks are provided by Tom Byrne, President & CEO of The Korea Society, and Chris Stockel, NYC Metro Area chapter president of the Korean Defense Veterans Association (KDVA). Following the remarks, author Dr. Michael Devine discusses his book, The Korean War Remembered: Contested Memories of an Undended Conflict.
This program is moderated by The Korea Society's Policy Program Director Jonathan Corrado and produced in collaboration with the Korean Defense Veterans Association (KDVA).
Thursday, July 29, 2025 | 7:00 PM (EDT) | In-person only
Strand Book Store - 3rd Floor, Rare Book Room 828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Join us for an in-person event at The Strand with debut authors Julia Riew and Brad Riew for the release of their new novel The Last Tiger. Inspired by true stories fom the authors' grandparents' lives during one of the darkest period in Korean history, The Last Tiger is a young adult fantasy novel about the power of love to give notice to a broken people.
Joining Julia and Brad in conversation is critically acclaimed, bestselling author Chloe Gong.
GALLERY EXHIBITION
2025 SUMMER EXHIBITION
SCULPTED VOICES | KYUNGMIN PARK & JINSIK YOO
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
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!
Future Present: Contemporary Korean Art with Andy St. Louis
On June 3rd, Andy St. Louis joined us at The Korea Society 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 showcases the diversity of contemporary Korean art practices while situating them amid the global contemporary art conversation.
Unpacking South Korea’s Snap Presidential Election
On June 4th, The Korea Society provided 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.
From POW Camp to Muralist: The Untold Story of Lee Qoede
The Korea Society hosted Korean art historian and curator Jinyoung Jin on June 5th as she revealed 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. For an exclusive, in-person only program, Jin delved 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.
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. This gallery is currently on display at The Korea Society until July 31, 2025.
Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea
On June 11th, we were joined by 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.
This program is moderated by Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado.
Shaping the U.S.-Korea Economic Cooperation in the Manufacturing and Energy Industry
On June 17th, The Korea Society held a private roundtable for experts and leaders in the U.S. and Korean energy and manufacturing industries to examine how evolving policy and technology trends are reshaping the contours of bilateral cooperation. The conversation delved into how the U.S. and Korea can align on strategies to meet shared challenges and unlock new opportunities—particularly in the areas of advanced manufacturing, energy security, and long-term economic resilience—in an increasingly interconnected yet geopolitically fragmenting environment.
Navigating Korea’s Investment Landscape
Dr. Tae Hyung Kim, Commissioner of Invest KOREA- the national investment promotion arm of KOTRA, joined The Korea Society on June 26th to discuss 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.
This conversation was moderated by Tom Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society and Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea. This program was cohosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
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. If you’d like to support our mission, please consider making a contribution here.
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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