
The Korea Society
THE KOREA SOCIETY is a private, 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.
Latest episodes

Nov 16, 2021 • 52min
Countdown to the US Congressional Midterm Elections: What Can We Expect from the 117th Congress?
November 15, 2021 - Candid analysis from Former Members of Congress on the upcoming US Midterms Elections. How will it impact the Congressional legislative agenda in terms of domestic and foreign policy? What will their foreign trade and security priorities be? How can the US work with allies and partners such as The Republic of Korea? This program is produced in partnership between the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) and The Korea Society. Featuring the Hon. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 2013-2019), the Hon. Mike Bishop (R-MI, 2015-2019), and the Hon. L.F. Payne (D-VA, 1988-1997).

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 1min
Lessons Learned with CEO & Co-Founder of Radish Fiction Seung Yoon Lee
November 12, 2021 - Join us as Seung-yoon Lee, CEO, and Co-Founder of Radish Fiction, shares “lessons learned” from his years of experience in media innovation. Before taking on his current position as the Global Strategy Officer at Kakao Entertainment, he founded Radish Fiction, serialized fiction app bringing curated premium, and original stories to readers everywhere, and Byline, the world's leading crowdfunded journalism platform. Seung-yoon was also recognized as one of the inaugural members of Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. Next-generation entrepreneurs, fiction lovers, members, and friends of The Korea Society and Korea Finance Society are all invited to this discussion moderated by Mark Kim from the Korea Finance Society. Following the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, we will have limited in-person capacity. The registration for in-person attendance will be first-come, first-served basis. The session will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person or prefer to participate virtually. The Korea Society is excited to present this session of the Young Professionals’ Network series in partnership with the Korea Finance Society (KFS). KFS seeks to build a community to promote the advancement of Korean and Korean-American financial professionals in the United States through networking, education, and mentorship. We are dedicated to providing a platform for sharing expertise among Korean financial professionals, as well as educational and career programs for young Korean financial professionals and college students to maximize their opportunities for career success. This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1534-lessons-learned-with-ceo-co-founder-of-radish-fiction-seung-yoon-lee

Nov 4, 2021 • 1h 3min
What Makes a Great Korea Analyst?
November 4, 2021 - Council on Foreign Relations Director of the Program on US-Korea Policy and Senior Fellow Scott A. Snyder, Atlantic Council Senior Fellow and former U.S. National Intelligence Officer for North Korea Markus Garlauskas, and Stimson Center nonresident fellow Rachel Minyoung Lee join Senior Director Stephen Noerper and Policy Director Jonathan Corrado for a discussion of the latest developments on and around the Korean Peninsula and thoughts on how media, members, and analysts current and aspiring might best hone skills and insights on Korea. As premier analysts with unique insights, Snyder, Garlauskas, and Lee speak to tropes, prejudice and generalizations that stymy sound analysis and suggest ways to approach Peninsular affairs anew. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1517-what-makes-a-great-korea-analyst

Nov 4, 2021 • 54min
Eric Nam 에릭남 at YPN 10th Anniversary Special
November 3, 2021 - Celebrating the 10th year of our Young Professionals’ Network (YPN) series, The Korea Society is excited to announce the YPN 10th Anniversary Special with singer-songwriter Eric Nam, one of the most popular and recognizable celebrities in Asia. As a Korean American singer, songwriter, entertainer, and TV personality from Atlanta, Georgia, Eric has been inspiring his fans and the younger generation through his musical performances and insightful commentary on important contemporary issues. He has been named GQ Korea's Man of the Year and appeared on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia. Join our YPN Special to hear Eric’s thoughts on balancing the cultural boundary between Korea and the U.S. as an entertainer with a fanbase in both countries. This interview will also provide a rare opportunity to hear Eric's personal story and vision of his life and career. This program is made possible by the support from Yang Won Sun Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/special-events/item/1530-10th-anniversary-special-with-eric-nam

Nov 1, 2021 • 42min
Asian American Involvement in U.S. Politics Featuring Congressman Andy Kim
November 1, 2021 - Join us for this conversation about Asian American involvement in U.S. politics featuring Congressman Andy Kim. How has the role of Asian Americans in U.S. politics evolved over time and responded to pressing issues? This conversation is moderated by Tony Kim, board director for The Korea Society and Partner at Centerview Partners. Korea Society president and CEO Tom Byrne joins the conversation to convey questions from the audience. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1533-asian-american-involvement-in-u-s-politics-featuring-congressman-andy-kim

Oct 7, 2021 • 1h 2min
The Rise of Anti-Chinese Sentiments in South Korea: Political and Security Implications
October 7, 2021 - Stanford University Director of the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, founding director of its Korean Studies program, and William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea Gi-Wook Shin shares insights on rising anti-China sentiments in South Korea and their implications for the upcoming South Korean presidential election, as well as the US-ROK alliance. Professor Shin, in conversation with Senior Director Stephen Noerper, also explores these sentiments relative to Korean feelings toward Japan and the United States. This event is co-sponsored by Columbia University’s APEC Study Center. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1515-the-rise-of-anti-china-sentiments-in-korea

Sep 24, 2021 • 58min
The US-Korea Global Partnership: Supply Chain and Semiconductors
September 23, 2021 - In the first program of a new series chronicling the rise of global cooperation between the United States and Korea, Korea Society president and CEO Tom Byrne discusses supply chain resilience and semiconductors in conversation with Tami Overby, McLarty Associates Senior Director and former president of the US Korea Business Council, and John Neuffer, President and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association. The program opens with remarks on the importance of US-Korea cooperation on semiconductors by Won-kyong Kim, the Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics Inc. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1522-the-us-korea-global-partnership-supply-chain-and-semiconductors

Sep 9, 2021 • 1h 1min
North Korea, Inc. and China
September 9, 2021 - Harvard University Director of the Korea Project and Adjunct Lecturer John Park shares insights into recent North Korea developments and China’s interplay. Subsequent to the Moon-Biden summit and marking the anniversary of its mutual defense pact, the PRC and DPRK reaffirmed ties. Park, in conversation with Senior Director Stephen Noerper, sheds light on the implications for stability in Northeast Asia and implications for the US-ROK alliance. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1514-north-korea-inc-and-china

Jul 26, 2021 • 58min
YouTube & K-pop
July 22, 2021 - When experts analyze the worldwide success of K-pop, all point to one watershed moment in 2012: Psy's music video Gangnam Style was uploaded to YouTube. As YouTube became the main platform for music video release, K-pop broke through the language and cultural barriers and reached out to the world. Through YouTube, K-pop songs are watched and shared around the globe, and Korean artists communicate with their ever-increasing and dedicated fans everywhere. Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer of YouTube, discusses how YouTube grew its global viewership and impact while promoting the cutting edge of K-culture, especially K-pop, to the world. Joon Park, the leader of the first generation idol group g.o.d., and producer Robert Ock will join the conversation to be moderated by Eva Pilgrim of ABC News. This program is made possible by the generous support from YouTube. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1511-youtube-k-pop-with-robert-kyncl

Jul 22, 2021 • 44min
Talking COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation with John Rim, Samsung Biologics President & CEO
July 21, 2021 - Join us for a conversation between Mr. John Rim, President and CEO of Samsung Biologics, and Tom Byrne, the President and CEO of The Korea Society. In this second episode of the ‘President’s Interview Series,’ President Rim will discuss his extensive career and senior leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as his current role as the head of Samsung Biologics. With over 30 years of experience, President Rim played a key leadership role in facilitating the growth of Samsung Biologics into one of the world’s largest contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). This interview will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the role of Samsung Biologics in the global biopharmaceutical industry including the recent agreement with the US biotech firm, Moderna, for fill-finish manufacturing of its path breaking mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine. This program was recorded at Samsung Biologics headquarters in Songdo, Incheon when President Byrne recently visited South Korea. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1509-talking-covid-19-vaccine-cooperation-with-president-john-rim