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The Korea Society's Members' Newsletter | November 2025
Published about 2 months ago • 11 min read
Members' Newsletter | November 2025
Edited by Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
Happy November to The Korea Society's corporate and individual members :)
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is observed annually on November 11th to honor military veterans. The holiday traces back to the end of World War I, when an armistice between Germany and the Allied Powers took effect at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day to honor veterans of World War I.
Years later, from 1950-1953, nearly 1.8 million U.S. military personnel served in the Korean War—sometimes called the “Forgotten War” due to the limited media attention it received in the United States. Following the Korean War, veterans service organizations urged Congress to broaden the scope of the November 11 holiday to honor all American veterans, and in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation officially changing the name to Veterans Day.
This November, The Korea Society expresses its gratitude to all who have served, with special appreciation for the members of the Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York, who recently joined us at The Korea Society’s 2025 Annual Dinner!
(Left to right) Salvatore Scarlato, Matthew Scarlato (Sal's grandson), Paul Fitzsimmons, John Ha
Join The Korea Society for our programs across arts & culture, policy, education, and business & economics this November. Read on to learn more!
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
The theme of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources’ (MOTIE) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency’s (KOTRA) Invest Korea Summit 2025 held in Seoul from October 29-31 was “AI Innovative Partner, Korea.” One of the Summit’s participants, Amazon Web Services (AWS), announced on October 29th that it will invest an additional $5 billion in data center infrastructure in Korea to support AI and cloud computing technologies from 2025 to 2031, bringing AWS’ expected total investment in Korea to $9 billion by 2031. The investment also includes the “Ulsan AI Zone” project in collaboration with SK Group, which will begin operations in 2027.
Artificial intelligence has soared to the top of business, economic, and political agendas. As the International Energy Agency (IEA, in which the U.S. and Korea are member states) notes, “there is no AI without energy – specifically electricity.” Which energy sources will meet the increase in demand over the next five to 15 years, and how is Korea planning to respond?
Although there are uncertainties in how quickly AI will be adopted and whether bottlenecks in the electricity generation and energy sectors can be resolved, the IEA’s April 2025 “Energy and AI” report noted that data centers accounted for 1.5% of the world’s electricity consumption in 2024. The United States accounted for the largest share of global data center electricity consumption in 2024 (45%), followed by China (25%) and Europe (15%). Korea and Japantogether account forabout 5% of global data center electricity demand, a share that they are expected to retain to 2030.
Global data center electricity consumption is currently expected to more than double by 2030, to 945 TWh—slightly more than Japan’s total electricity consumption today. AI is the most important driver of this growth. Renewables and nuclear are envisaged to provide nearly 60% of the electricity consumed by data centers in 2030, up from 35% today.
In the U.S., natural gas, nuclear, and renewables are projected to meet the growth in electricity demand for data centers over the next five to 10 years (see graph below). In Korea, over the longer term, MOTIE’s “11th Basic Electricity Plan” envisages that carbon-free energy sources such as solar, wind, hydrogen, and nuclear power will meet the growth in electricity demand, including two new nuclear power plants and the introduction of SMRs, next-generation mini nuclear power plants by 2038.
One of the world’s great violinists returns to Carnegie Hall in triumphant fashion in this Friday-night recital. The program includes Franck’s Violin Sonata, a trademark piece for Kyung Wha Chung, of which she is widely considered a definitive performer; Robert Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 1, whose impassioned piano part casts a welcome spotlight on Chung’s musical partner Kevin Kenner; and Grieg’s third and final violin sonata, a favorite recital showpiece. It is a tantalizing combination of must-hear repertoire and exciting new possibilities for longtime fans of Chung’s celebrated career.
With the code CTY56500, members of The Korea Society are eligible to receive a 15% off discount.
Have you made an amazing film, music video, or web series? Celebrate Diversity in Film with New York City’s Winter Film Festival!
The 14th Annual celebration of independent film will run February 18-22, 2026. WFF is seeking fresh voices and creative indie films in all genres. The festival is dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers and includes a highly regarded filmmaker education series, all screenings include director Q&A sessions and we work to ensure our films get written articles, video promos and red carpet interviews.
Emerging Filmmakers - All Genres - Shorts - Features Animation - Horror - Music Video - Documentary Drama - Comedy - Web Series - Experimental - Student Work
Members of The Korea Society can use the code WFF26GRP20 to receive 20% off the film submission fee.
DECEMBER 2025 HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!
Sulwhasoo Skincare Set
Members-Only Giveaway: Mark Your Calendar
The Korea Society is delighted to announce that our annual holiday giveaway is returning next month! One complimentarySulwhasoo gift set will be gifted for anyone newly joining or renewing their membership during the month of December.
Renewing in December will extend your membership through the end of December the following year. The giveaway begins at the Individual Level and ships only to U.S. addresses. Mailing will begin in January.
Plan your renewal for December, or share this offer with friends and family who want to join, to enjoy this special holiday gift!
On November 3rd, we hosted a rapid-reaction analysis of the 2025 APEC Summit with Kate Kalutkiewicz (McLarty Associates), Professor Jaemin Lee (Seoul National University), and Scott Jacobs (Coupang). The panel examined key trade and geopolitical outcomes, with a focus on the U.S., Korea, and their bilateral relationship. The discussion was moderated by Jonathan Corrado and Chelsie Alexandre, and co-hosted by The APEC Study Center at Columbia University.
Interview with Bank of Korea Governor Rhee, Chang Yong
Tue, November 4, 2025 | 12:00 PM (EST) | Video Release only
Join us for a timely conversation with Dr. Rhee Chang Yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea, as he discusses key issues shaping global and domestic economic policy. In this interview with Korea Society President & CEO Thomas Byrne, Governor Rhee shares insights on Korea’s economic outlook, stablecoin governance, and U.S.–Korea fiscal and investment relations. Recorded at the Korea Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Center (KIPEC) in Washington, D.C. on October 16, 2025.
Connect with Korea: Opportunities For U.S. Students
Tue, November 4, 2025 | 8:00 PM (EST) | Live Webinar via Zoom
The Korea Society presents “Connect with Korea: Opportunities for U.S. Students,” a virtual session highlighting ways for U.S. college and university students to engage with Korea through study abroad, cultural exchange, and professional networking opportunities.
Co-hosted by International Student Conferences (ISC).
The Korea Society is pleased to announce that the ninth annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Awardee is Dr. Peter Jongho Na, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. In his lecture, Reframing Suicide as a Shared Social Responsibility in Korea, he casts suicide not as an individual failure, but as a systemic and cultural crisis requiring a coordinated national response, drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist, public health researcher, and mental health advocate.
Fri, November 14, 2025 | 6:00 PM (EST) | In-person & Recorded
Join us for Mentoring Day 2025—an evening of career insights, networking, and guidance for young professionals. The program features two panel 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. Dinner and refreshments will be provided.
This program is presented as part of our Young Professionals Network series, and is in partnership with KOTRA New York and the Korean Consulate General.
Modern Korean architecture, shaped by war, colonial rule, and rapid modernization, spans corporate firms, creative studios, and cultural communities. Navigating challenges from climate change to low growth, it is most compelling when it raises questions and reveals unfulfilled ambitions.
This lecture, presented by 2025 Korea Foundation LAB Series, features Pai Hyungmin, a distinguished architect and scholar.
Wed, November 19, 2025 | 5:30 PM (EST) | In-person & Recorded
Join us for Lessons Learned with Tony Kim, Head of BlackRock’s Global Technology Equities Team, as he shares insights from his career in global equities and tech investment management. In conversation with Helena Chao (Bank of America), Tony offers practical guidance on navigating careers in a fast-changing, competitive field.
Presented by The Korea Society’s Young Professionals’ Network in partnership with the Korea Finance Society (KFS).
SPECIAL EVENTS
2025 Van Fleet Policy Forum
The 2025 Van Fleet Policy Forum explores key issues in the U.S.-Korea relationship, featuring senior thought leaders discussing security, diplomacy, geoeconomics, and alliance history. Produced in partnership with the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council. A livestream is open to all, while in-person attendance is by invitation.
With his installations, Hong Seon Jang uses industrial objects to explore our recognizable surroundings, inviting viewers to re-examine how symbols acquire cultural and ideological significance and how their meanings transform in displacement.
To make a gallery appointment, please contact info@koreasociety.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
Mark your calendars for the Korean Language Program Winter Term, which 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 also receive a 10% discount for the term.
Join our Korean Through K-Pop Workshops on November 6 & November 13. Explore Korean grammar, expressions, and culture using K-pop songs. Lyrics will guide discussions on everyday language, cultural references, and advanced grammar.
The Korea Society's 2025-2026 Project Bridge Youth Ambassador Program will commence this month and run through June 2026.
Juniors and seniors in NYC public schools accepted to the Program through a rigorous selection process (<9% acceptance rate) engage in bi-monthly workshops and a capstone public presentation. The highlight of the Program is an all-expenses paid ten-day study tour to Korea in spring 2025. This is the Education Department’s longest running program, created in response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
The Spring 2026 application for the Society’s Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Travel Grant will open in mid-November.
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 October 8th, Seoul National University Sociology Professor Chang Kyung-Sup discussed South Korea’s “compressed modernity” and its consequences for public and private life, joined in conversation by The Korea Society's Linda Tobash, Jonathan Corrado, and Chelsie Alexandre. Support was provided by SNU’s Institute of Social Sciences. The Risk of Compressed Modernity is available online at 20% off with code 20KSC.
Revisiting the Jones Act: From Protectionism to Partnership
On October 8th, we hosted Colin Grabow (Cato Institute) to discuss a pivotal phase in U.S.–Korea maritime cooperation, in conversation with Tom Byrne, President & CEO of The Korea Society. The conversation focused on the Jones Act, its impact on coastal trade, and how potential reforms could enhance bilateral maritime and economic collaboration.
On October 9th, master of crime and suspense fiction You-Jeong Jeong discussed her career and the English translation of Perfect Happiness, a gripping tale of domestic terror. The novel follows Yuna, whose manipulations and violence force her family to confront her dark secrets and the lengths she will go to achieve “perfect happiness.”
New York Global Financial Leaders Forum 2025
On October 15th, The Korea Society, Maekyung Media Group, Korea Finance Society (KFS), and Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) co-hosted the Global Financial Leaders Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel in New York. The forum, themed “Invincible Strategies in an Uncertain Era,” analyzed the global economic and financial landscape and explored resilient investment strategies for today’s volatile environment.
On October 16th, Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) Advocacy Fellows shared firsthand insights on life in North Korea, leaving the country, and adjusting to life in South Korea. The discussion featured Rose Jang (Architecture, Hongik University), Hannah Oh (Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Hongik University), and Hannah Song, CEO of LiNK, in conversation with policy director Jonathan Corrado.
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values: Nicholas Harkness
On October 17, 2025, as part of the Series on Ethics and Common Values, presented with generous support from the Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation, Nicholas Harkness discussed the importance of global and regional studies in higher education and their connection to Korean Studies in the United States.
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values: Misook Doolittle with Ambassador Kathleen Stephens
On October 22, with support from the Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation, The Korea Society presented the next program in the Series on Ethics and Common Values, exploring central themes of human existence through conversations with remarkable individuals. Misook Doolittle, fashion pioneer and philanthropist, spoke with Ambassador Kathleen Stephens.
What to Expect: The 2025 APEC Summit in South Korea
On October 23rd, The Korea Society hosted a discussion setting the stage for the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, featuring Ambassador (Ret.) Philip Goldberg and Kate Kalutkiewicz, moderated by Tom Byrne. The program was supported by Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute and the Korea Foundation.
2025 Annual Dinner
The Korea Society was delighted to host the 2025 Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 23, at The Plaza Hotel. As the Society’s flagship event, the Annual Dinner brought together leaders and supporters dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Korea relations. At the event, The Korea Society presented its highest honor, the General James A. Van Fleet Award, to Dr. Chang, In Hwa, Chief Executive Officer of POSCO Holdings, and the Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK), in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing political and economic ties between the United States and Korea.
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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