About Us
The Korea Society is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding, and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea.
In pursuit of its mission, the Society arranges programs that facilitate discussion, exchanges, and research on topics of vital interest to both countries in the areas of public policy, business, education, intercultural relations, and the arts. Funding for these programs is derived from contributions, endowments, grants, membership dues, and program fees. From its base in New York City, the Society serves audiences across the country through its own outreach efforts and by forging strategic alliances with counterpart organizations in other cities throughout the United States as well as in Korea.
Our History
From a postwar friendship society to today’s leading U.S.–Korea institution
A group of prominent Americans, under the leadership of General James A. Van Fleet — who commanded the U.S. armed forces in the final phase of the Korean War — established the first nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to promoting friendly relations between the people of the United States and Korea “through mutual understanding and appreciation of their respective cultures, aims, ideals, arts, sciences and industries.”
Through the joint efforts of Americans and Koreans, several interconnected organizations pursued these objectives — most notably the New York-based U.S.-Korea Society and the Washington, DC-based U.S.-Korea Foundation.
The U.S.-Korea Society and the U.S.-Korea Foundation merged to form The Korea Society as it exists today.
The Korea Society is led by a President & CEO and Board Chair, supported by a Board of Directors drawn from business, the professions, academia, and public affairs, and an advisory council whose members are leading public figures in Korea and the U.S.
Leadership
Guiding the Society’s mission today
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