Keynote Speaker/ Van Fleet Award Honoree

Colin L. Powell

65th Secretary of State

United States of America

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.”

General Powell brought extensive experience with him to his office. Before becoming Secretary of State, Colin Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 – 1993). During this time he oversaw 28 crises to include the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Born in New York City on April 5, 1937, General Powell was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. General Powell was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from Morris High School and the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

General Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. 

General Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. He has received awards from over two dozen countries to include a French Legion of Honor and an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

General Powell is the Founder of the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies at his alma mater, the City College of New York. The Center is student-focused with a mission to develop a new generation of publicly engaged leaders. He is also the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the America’s Promise Alliance, dedicated to forging a strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children have the fundamental resources they need to succeed.

He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University and the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund. The General also served on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Health Fund.

Since returning to private life, General Powell has become a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the renowned Silicon Valley venture capital firm., and he is helping to raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC and for the construction of an education center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He is the author of his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey.

General Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael; daughters, Linda and Annemarie; daughter-in-law Jane, and grandchildren Jeffrey, Bryan, Abigail and Patrick. 

Van Fleet Award Honoree

General (Ret.) Paik Sun Yup 

Paik Sun Yup, the Republic of Korea’s foremost army general during the Korean War, was born in 1920 near Pyongyang. After service in the Manchurian Army during World War II, he escaped the onrushing Soviet Army for Pyongyang, where he became actively involved in Korea’s fledging national liberation movement. Realizing in 1946 that a communist takeover in the north was inevitable, Paik made his way to the south and joined the South Korean Constabulary (later to become the ROK Army). When North Korea launched its general offensive against the ROK on June 25, 1950, then Colonel Paik was commander of the ROK 1st Infantry Division. During the course of the war, he became the first South Korean to achieve the rank of four-star general. Paik participated in all ten of the major campaigns of the Korean War, commanded an independent corps that conducted the largest anti-guerilla operation of the war, and was the ROK’s initial representative to the armistice negotiations.

Following the signing of the armistice, Paik served twice as ROK Army chief of staff and was also chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired from active duty in 1960 as the most highly decorated soldier in the ROK Army. His military decorations include two Taeguk Medals (Korea’s highest award), as well as seven U.S. medals, including one Silver Star, four Legions of Merit and a Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. After his retirement from the ROK Army, General Paik served as ambassador to Taiwan in 1960, France (and concurrently 16 other European and African nations) in 1961, and Canada in 1965. From 1969 to 1971, he served as the ROK Minister of Transportation and played a significant role in establishing the country’s current public transportation system. From 1971 to 1980, he was president of South Korea’s largest chemical company. From 1999 to 2003, he was chairman of the ROK 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee. 

Residing in Seoul, Paik and his wife of 65 years, In Sook, have four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Paik is the author of several books, including From Pusan to Panmunjom (1992) as well as chairman of the Military History Compilation Institute Advisory Committee to the Ministry of National Defense, the first president of the Association of the ROK Army, and elder adviser to the National Diplomacy and Security Council.

Co-Chair
The Boeing Company
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Vice Chair
Poongsan Corporation

Benefactor
CBOL/Celltron
Chevron
Citi
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group
LG Electronics USA, Inc.
Tiger Asia Management LLC

Patron
Chartis International
GS Caltex Corporation
Korea Exchange Bank
MetLife
Robert A. Cohen & Robert E. Fallon
SK

Donor
Corning Incorporated
Korea International Trade Association
Korean American Friendship Association
Korean Consulate General
KPMG LLP
Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
Morgan Stanley & One Equity Partners
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Contributor
Ernst & Young
Lazard Asset Management
McLarty Associates
POSCO

Special Acknowledgment

Additional support was provided by Mark Gaston,Gaston Capital Management Inc.; Richard T. McCormack, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Julia Quincy; Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Samsung Electronics America, Inc.; Sulwhasoo.

Videotaped Remarks of President Obama for the Korea Society 2010 Annual Dinner

Good evening everyone.  I appreciate the opportunity to send my wishes as you celebrate the unbreakable bonds between the United States and the Republic of Korea.  This year, of course, holds special meaning for us all.

We recall that it was exactly sixty years ago, on another June day, when the Communist armies poured across the 38th parallel and threatened the very survival of the Republic of Korea.

We honor all those who rallied to her defense — the fallen whose names are etched in sacred memorials, and veterans like General Paik who join you tonight.

We salute the resolve of the people of the Republic of Korea – who, from the ruins of war, built an economic miracle, a vibrant democracy, a society where a child could grow up to be Secretary General of the United Nations, and a nation that is now a regional and global leader.

We thank all those who have stood with the Republic of Korea to keep her safe and strong — especially our Korean American friends, the Korea Society, and generations of Americans in uniform, including my friend, General Colin Powell.

Most of all, we reaffirm the enduring alliance between our countries — an alliance rooted in shared sacrifice, common values, mutual interest and mutual respect; an alliance that is stronger than ever.  And, as we have seen in recent weeks, our alliance is needed more than ever.

The attack on the navy vessel Cheonan was an unprovoked act of aggression by North Korea.  As I have told President Lee, I and the American people offer our deepest condolences, especially to the families of the 46 sailors who were lost.

To our friends from the Republic of Korea who join you tonight, I say this: you and President Lee have shown extraordinary patience and self-restraint.  You have shown the world what true strength and confidence looks like.  And you have the full support of your friend and ally, the United States of America.

In the days ahead, our governments will continue to consult closely, and I look forward to meeting with President Lee this month in Toronto.  Together, we will ensure our readiness and deter aggression.  We will work with allies and partners to hold North Korea accountable, including at the United Nations Security Council, making it clear that security and respect for North Korea will never come through aggression, but only by upholding its obligations.  And as I said during my visit to Seoul and Osan last fall, the commitment of the United States to the security and defense of the Republic of Korea will never waver.

Going forward, we will pursue our shared vision of our alliance for the 21st century.  As the host of the G-20 Summit in November and the Nuclear Security Summit in two years, the Republic of Korea will continue to assume its rightful place as a leader on the world stage.

And every step of the way, our two nations will be guided by the same sense of solidarity and shared sacrifice that has defined us for 60 years — Katchi Kapshida.  We go together.  We go together in these difficult days.  And we will continue to go together in the months and years to come.

Thank you, and have a wonderful evening.

Remarks of President Lee Myung-bak for the Korea Society 2010 Annual Dinner

Chairman Hubbard, President Minton, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Veterans of the Korean War, Distinguished Guests,

Let me extend my congratulations as the Korea Society holds its Annual Dinner.  This year’s event is especially meaningful since we are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War together with veterans of the War.  I would also like to express my sincere congratulations to the recipients of the 2010 Van Fleet Award, General Paik Sun Yup (백선엽) and Secretary Colin Powell.

The history of the Korea Society is emblematic of how the deep-rooted and splendid friendship between Korea and the United States has evolved over the decades.  Our two countries have shed blood together as brothers-in-arms in the defense of freedom and democracy, and are now longstanding partners in the common pursuit of global peace.

Korea emerged from the ruins of the Korean War to become the world’s 13th largest economic powerhouse. It went from the receiving end of foreign aid to become a donor country helping others in need around the world.  More recently, Korea was able to more successfully weather the global financial crisis.  It will be hosting the G20 Summit this coming November and the Second Nuclear Security Summit in 2012.

The Korean War veterans gracing us with their presence today have every reason to take immense pride as they see Korea playing a responsible role in the service of global peace and prosperity of all humanity.  Know that the Republic of Korea will always remember you.

Distinguished guests,

The recipients of the 2010 Van Fleet Award, General Paik Sun Yup (백선엽) and Secretary Powell, are remarkable historic testaments to the Korea-US alliance.

General Paik is Korea’s greatest war hero, having fought on the frontlines with dauntless valor alongside US troops during the Korean War.  Secretary Powell, himself having once served in uniform in Korea to help safeguard peace, would later become a Secretary of State firmly committed to strengthening the Korea-US alliance.

On behalf of the Korean people, I wish to once again congratulate them both for receiving the distinction on this 60th year since the beginning of our “blood-forged” alliance.

Today, the Korea-US alliance is expanding and deepening across a whole range of areas including economy and culture, not to mention security.  Our alliance will advance into a partnership of far-reaching global scope committed to contributing to peace and stability in the world.

In the realm of security, Korea and the US will stand side by side in responding firmly to forces threatening the peace, based on a robust combined defense posture and “extended deterrence.”

I still vividly remember attending the Annual Dinner a little more than two years ago.  I believe, just as you welcomed me warmly as a friend from afar, you will provide your continued assistance and support for the development of the Korea-US alliance.

I convey my best wishes for the everlasting prosperity of the Korea Society, and the good health and happiness of everyone here.

Thank you.

Insooni

Insooni began her career in 1978 as a member of the Hee Sisters pop trio. In the 1980s, she embarked on a solo career and soon became South Korea’s top R&B, pop, and jazz diva, a position she has held for 32 years by embracing new music without losing sight of her artistic roots. Insooni’s hits include “Night After Night,” “Prelude to Goodbye,” “Dear Friend,” “Passion,” and “Higher.” She is the first and only Korean pop singer to perform twice at Carnegie Hall, first in 1999 and again in 2010. Her awards include the 1997 Mokryun-Sang, 2004 Top Korea Artist of the Year, and the 2010 President’s Award.