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THE KOREA SOCIETY

is 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. Learn more about us here.

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Welcome the Year of the Dragon! We are delighted to invite you to our Annual Membership Party on ...
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The 2023 Annual Dinner was held on September 20 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Celebrating ...

2020 Annual Gala

Media

The Annual Gala Dinner is the Korea Society’s premier event of the year, celebrating the U.S-Korea relationship as well as honoring those who work towards maintaining this special alliance. This year, in light of health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19, we have decided to “recreate” our Annual Gala as a virtually-celebrated event on Wednesday, October 7, with the theme “Enduring Alliance, Expanding Horizons”.


 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

 

 

 

Keynote Speaker, His Excellency President Moon Jae-In

Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, Chair of the Korea Society, Mr. Thomas J. Byrne, President of the Korea Society, and Distinguished guests, warm greetings to you all.

Korea Society is a dependable bridge that connects the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Since its establishment in 1957, it has not only enhanced bilateral exchanges and friendly ties between our two countries but also played a crucial role in helping the international community better understand Korea. I am very pleased to be able to express my gratitude at the Annual Gala Dinner today- a significant event joined by those who have made invaluable contributions to the advancement of ROK-U.S. relations. Although I cannot meet you all in person and have to extend my gratitude and congratulations only virtually, I believe absence made the heart grow fonder than ever before.

Distinguished guests, in times of difficulty, we come to think more of our true friends.

Here with us today is Mr. Salvatore Scarlato, President of the New York Department of the Korean War Veterans Association.

He valiantly fought with the 1st Marine Division, surviving brushes with death.

Representative Charles B. Rangel, also a Korean War veteran, has spearheaded efforts to upgrade the ROK-U.S. alliance throughout his 46 years of service as Congressman, including by co-sponsoring the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act.

The Korean people consider veterans including the two heroes I just acknowledged as their true friends. Not even for a moment have we forgotten our friends who fought for the freedom and peace of a country they never knew or a people they never met.

The robust ROK-U.S. alliance of today has also been forged with sacrifices and dedications of veterans. Mr. Scarlato, Representative Rangel, and all of the Korean War veterans they represent, I want to congratulate you, together with my fellow Koreans, on your receiving the Van Fleet Award.

Chairman Yongmaan Park who has been leading economic cooperation based on the strong spirit of alliance and staff of Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and members of BTS who have been central to promoting cultural exchanges between our two countries, congratulations on your win as well.

Distinguished guests, for the past 67 years, the ROK-U.S. alliance has become stronger and more mature. The alliance initially forged in blood has evolved into one of peace and security, a linchpin for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and served as a dependable bulwark in securing freedom, human rights and vibrant democracy in the Republic of Korea.

The ROK-U.S. alliance has now become an inarguably strong economic alliance as well, with the two countries having strengthened bilateral ties by expanding trade and investment and creating many more new jobs. The late General Van Fleet, founder of the Korea Society, was proud to witness Korea’s astonishing development and once said “Korea is my second home.”

Together with the U.S., Korea was able to achieve what it enjoys today, and our countries will accomplish so much more through our great alliance.

Korea is preparing for the post-COVID-19 era by going digital and green in partnership with the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Our two countries will also work together and jointly tackle and overcome the global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.

Above all, the very foundation underpinning the ROK-U.S. alliance is close people-to-people ties and shared cultural values.

2.5 million Koreans living in the U.S. are proud members of American society as well as the most essential asset for promoting friendship between the two countries.

The presence of Korean students in the U.S. that reach up to 50,000 and about 3,000 Americans studying in Korea is a herald of a more prosperous bilateral relationship to come.

Young Koreans are communicating with the world by translating Korea’s unique sentiment into messages that have universal appeal.

Korean culture was able to make it to the Academy Awards and Billboard Chart because our two countries have long been sharing cultural values.

Our alliance shined even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Even when Korea was bearing the brunt of COVID-19 early on, the U.S. kept its doors open for inbound travelers from Korea, trusting that Korea would effectively respond to the outbreak based on the principles of transparency, openness, and democracy.

Korea, even amid a spike in locally-transmitted infections back in April, provided diagnostic kits first to the United States.

And as a gesture of friendship, we sent 2.5 million face masks to Americans, half a million of which were delivered to the Korean War veterans.

The crisis we are facing today cannot be overcome by a single country alone. It is high time for the ROK-U.S. alliance to demonstrate its power once again.

President Trump has recently invited Korea to attend the G7 Summit meeting.

I take it as America’s call on Korea to assume responsibility and a role commensurate with its international stature based on deep mutual trust between our two countries.

Korea will live up to these expectations and also actively join the concerted global efforts to respond to COVID-19.

The ROK-U.S. alliance is now in a new evolutionary phase with the two countries addressing not only regional but also global issues together.

By going beyond traditional security, economic, social and cultural cooperation and jointly responding to transboundary crises such as infectious diseases, terrorism and climate change, we are broadening the scope of our cooperation to form a comprehensive alliance.

I hope that our two countries will stand at the forefront of a recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and make a new leap toward a more robust alliance.

Distinguished guests, This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

At the UN General Assembly, I restated before the international community that the War on the Korean Peninsula must end, completely and for good.

The end-of-war declaration will indeed pave the way for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and establishing permanent peace on the Korea Peninsula is the only genuine way to reciprocate the sacrifices and dedications of the Korean War veterans.

There has been substantive progress made in peace process on the Korean Peninsula thanks to the inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea summit meetings in 2018 and 2019.

However, the talks have now stalled and we are catching our breath.

We can neither allow any backtracking on hard-earned progress nor change our destination.

I hope that our two countries work toward the end-of-war declaration and draw active participation from the international community in this regard.

When we not only deter war but also actively create and institutionalize peace, our alliance will be even greater.

I would like to ask for each and every one of your support for this process so that the Korean Peninsula can finally put the history of the division behind and advance into an era of reconciliation and prosperity. To quote President John F. Kennedy, “peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”

Korea and the U.S. will engage in close communication and coordination, thereby eliciting support and cooperation from neighboring countries and the international society.

Moreover, our two countries will continue the efforts to build trust with North Korea, one of the parties involved, by keeping our ears, mind and heart open toward it.

I would like to thank Korea Society once again for organizing this meaningful event. Korea will never forget its true friends.

I will continue our audacious journey toward peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula with all of you invited on board.

“We go together!”

Thank you very much.


 

VAN FLEET AWARD CEREMONY

 

 

Charles B. Rangel, 23-term New York congressman and first African-American chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, receives the Van Fleet Award on behalf of all U.S Korean War Veterans. In his dedication speech, Ambassador Won-Sam Chang, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea In New York, describes Congressman Rangel as a “decorated hero of the Korean war”, noting that he earned a bronze star for valor and a purple heart for his heroic service at the Battle of Kunu-ri in November 1950, when he led a group of his fellow soldiers from behind enemy lines. Ambassador Chang concludes by saying, “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the government and the people of Korea to express my profound gratitude to all U.S. Korean War veterans for their courageous service and noble sacrifice.”





Salvatore Scalato, President of the Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York, receives the Van Fleet Award on behalf of the Association. Recalling Sal’s experiences in Korea, General (Ret) Skip Sharp, Former UNC/CFC/USFK Commander, remarks, “Sal’s story is gripping, heartfelt, and especially when he tells it, sometimes humorous.” General Sharp goes on to explain that Sal’s story, “is a good representation of the 1.8 million Americans who fought in the Korean War and the 36,000 who died defending South Korea.” General Sharp concludes, “Sal has spent his life supporting Korean War veterans. And as a son of a Korean War veteran, I am thankful for all that Korean War Veterans Association has done and is doing for our veterans.”



 

Yongmaan Park, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), receives the Van Fleet Award on behalf of the organization. The Honorable Mark Lippert, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, notes, “KCCI has been integral to the growth and development of Korea that makes it so special on the world stage.” He points out KCCI’s crucial role “in promoting economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea.” Ambassador Lippert highlights that Chairman Park has “a long and distinguished career in private industry and promoting economic ties.”



 

BTS receives the Van Fleet Award in recognition of the group’s promotion of cultural ties between the U.S. and South Korea. In her Gala introductory remarks, Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, Korea Society board chair, said, “BTS set the world alight, not just by setting records for number one songs and albums, but also by inspiring audiences of all backgrounds and cultures with their universal messages of hope, humanity, and love.”


 

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 
 
  His Excellency Moon Jae-in
President
Republic of Korea
 

 

 

VAN FLEET AWARD HONOREES


U.S. Korean War Veterans

 
 
 
  Accepted by
Honorable Charles B. Rangel

Congressman 1970-2016
Statesman-in-residence
The City College of New York





Accepted by
Salvatore Scarlato

President
Korean War Veterans Association
Department of New York

President
Korean War Veterans
Central Long Island Chapter 64
 



Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

 
 
  Accepted by
Yongmaan Park
Chairman
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 



BTS
 
Bangtan Sonyeondan/Beyond the Scene
Global Superstars






GUEST SPEAKERS


 
 
 
 
Honorable Harry Harris

U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea





Honorable Yumi Hogan
First Lady of Maryland


Kim Woo Joo 
Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine


 


PRESENTERS


 
 
 
 
Ambassador Won-Sam Chang

Consul General
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea
in New York





Honorable Mark Lippert

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
Senior Adviser CSIS
Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Asia Pacific, YouTube




General (Ret) Skip Sharp
Former Commander of the United Nations Command,
ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and
U.S Forces Korea


 


MASTER OF CEREMONIES


 
 
  Juju Chang
Co-Anchor
ABC Nightline
 



Please join this major annual event as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and virtually highlight the full range of America’s security, economic, political, and cultural ties with the Korean Peninsula.

Stay tuned for more information on additional gala speakers.

To participate in this special event, please view details in the tap below on gala sponsorship and tickets. Your contribution is needed more than ever to help us continue our mission to promote and enhance the U.S.-Korea relationship.

Contact Jiyoung Suh for any inquiries.

For press inquiries, please contact Claire Callahan



Schedule of Events

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

  6:30 PM   Event Website Opens
  7:00 PM   Official Gala Program Starts
  8:15 PM   Official Gala Program Concludes and Invitation-Only VIP Reception Starts
  8:45 PM   Invitation-Only VIP Reception Concludes
 

* the schedule is based on EDT 


  



SUPPORT LEVELS

 SPONSORSHIP

LEADER - $100,000
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 40 guests
• 5 passes to invitation-only VIP reception
• Logo placement in VIP reception
• Verbal recognition during Virtual Gala broadcast
• A full-page advertisement in the digital dinner program book
• Corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the digital dinner program book
• One complimentary corporate gift membership at the Affiliate level ($1,000)
• One time complimentary rental opportunity to use Korea Society’s event room in 2021*

BENEFACTOR - $50,000
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 30 guests
• 4 passes to invitation-only VIP reception
• Verbal recognition during Virtual Gala broadcast
• A full-page advertisement in the digital dinner program book
• Corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the digital dinner program book

PATRON - $30,000
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 25 guests
• 3 passes to invitation-only VIP reception
• Verbal recognition during Virtual Gala broadcast
• A full-page advertisement in the digital dinner program book
• Corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the digital dinner program book

Sponsor - $20,000
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 20 guests
• 2 passes to invitation-only VIP reception
• A half-page advertisement in the digital dinner program book
• Corporate profile with photo of corporate representative in the digital dinner program book

Donor - $15,000
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 15 guests
• A half-page advertisement in the digital dinner program book
• Corporate profile in the digital dinner program book

Contributor - $7,500
• Dedicated viewing links to the virtual gala for 10 guests
• Corporate profile in the digital dinner program book

ALL SPONSORS BENEFITS INCLUDE:
• Recognition by level on Virtual Gala event webpage, promotional emails, and social media
• On-screen recognition by level before and during the Virtual Gala
• Year-round recognition in the Korea Society’s Annual Report



*rental will be available on the date when there are no Korea Society’s programs and activities. Rental schedule should be discussed at least two months prior to the event. The guidelines of New York City and State on COVID-19 shall prevail when arranging rental schedule and details.



 INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT AND TICKETS

VAN FLEET AWARD SPONSOR - $4,000
• 3 ticket for a dedicated viewing link to the virtual gala
• 1 pass to invitation-only VIP reception
• Recognition on Virtual Gala event webpage as a Van Fleet Award Sponsor
• On-screen recognition as a Van Fleet Award Sponsor before and during Virtual Gala
• One complimentary individual gift membership at the Supporter level ($150)
• Year-round recognition in the Korea Society’s Annual Report

PATRON - $3,000 Per Ticket (PATRON COUPLE - $5,000)
• 1 ticket for a dedicated viewing link to the virtual gala
• 1 pass to invitation-only VIP reception
• Recognition on Virtual Gala event webpage 
• On-screen recognition by level before and during Virtual Gala
• One complimentary individual gift membership at the Supporter level ($150)
• Year-round recognition in the Korea Society’s Annual Report

CONTRIBUTOR - $300
• 1 ticket for a dedicated viewing link to the virtual gala
• One complimentary individual gift membership at the Individual level ($75)

ALL KOREA SOCIETY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AT SUPPORTER ($150) AND ABOVE LEVEL are eligible to receive a dedicated viewing link to the virtual gala. Become a member today here and enjoy the one year membership benefits as well as our virtual gala!

Members at the Supporter level and above who would like to attend the gala can register here. Please be advised that your membership is effective until the date of the event, so be sure to renew your membership here if it expires soon.

Tickets
 
Full Name
Title or Position
Company
Email

 





I am unable to attend. Please accept my contribution.

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Full-page in the dinner program book - $10,000
Half-page in the dinner program book - $5,000


All sponsorship and Individual Patron ticket registrations must be confirmed by October 2, 2020 to be acknowledged in the dinner program. Cancellations after October 2 will not be accepted.

For further information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please contact Jiyoung Suh or by phone at (212) 759-5360.


The Korea Society is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. The total amount of your contribution is tax deductible.

Funds raised from the virtual gala will support the Korea Society’s programs and activities. Proceeds from this event will also go to the New York Korean War Veterans Memorial to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and honor the sacrifice of Korean War veterans.

A Special Note on the CARES Act and Philanthropic Giving
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, has provisions that make donations particularly attractive this year to donors in the US. Please find more detailed information here.

 

Keynote Speaker


His Excellency Moon Jae-in
President
Republic of Korea

 

Education    
  1980 LL.B., Kyung Hee University (Seoul, Korea)
  1971 Kyungnam High School (Busan, Korea)
Career    
  2017 President of the Republic of Korea
  2017 Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party for the 19th presidential election
  2015 Chairperson of the Democratic Party
  2014 Member of the Interim Committee of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy
  2013 Standing Advisor of the Democratic United Party
  2012 Candidate of the Democratic United Party for the 18th presidential election Member of the 19th National Assembly (Sasang-gu, Busan)
  2011 Standing Co-representative of the Innovation and Integration
  2010 Chairperson of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation
  2007 Chief of Staff to the President
Chairperson of the Promotion Committee for the 2nd Inter-Korean Summit
  2005 Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs
  2004 Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Society
  2003 Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs
  1982 Established a law office specializing in human rights and civil society with Roh Moo-hyun, the 16th President of the Republic Korea



  



Awardee

In honor of the American soldiers who served in the Korean War, especially the over 36,000 Americans who gave their lives, two American veterans will accept the Van Fleet Award.

 
     

Accepted b

y
Honorable Charles B. Rangel
Congressman 1970-2016
Statesman-in-residence
The City College of New York

Charles B. Rangel, war hero, history-making congressman, master lawmaker. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he made history as the first African American member of Congress to lead the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He served for 23 terms in the House of Representatives and was cited as the most effective lawmaker in the House, leading all of his colleagues in passing legislation. He was a prime contributor to President Obama's historic health care reform law.

Growing up on the other side of the tracks on Lenox Avenue in Harlem, he was transformed from high school dropout to war hero after volunteering for service in the Army during the Korean War. Wounded in an attack by waves of Communist Chinese troops, he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor after leading his surviving comrades from behind enemy lines.

With the aid of the G.I. Bill, he earned degrees from New York University and St. John's University Law School. He began his public service as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and was later elected to the New York State Assembly. He went to Washington in 1971 to serve in the House after defeating the legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Congressman Rangel is currently Statesman in Residence at The City College of New York for the City University of New York. Demonstrating his commitment to education, he created financial mechanisms to construct and rehabilitate public schools across the country. In Congress, following Saint Matthew's teaching, he has been a stalwart champion for the "least among us," advocating powerfully and persistently to improve the lives of working people. He is a defender of veterans and treated education as a national security issue.

A leading advocate for equal rights and equal opportunity, Congressman Rangel boosted the incomes of millions of working families with the Earned Income Tax Credit, and pumped billions of dollars into revitalization of communities across the nation, including Harlem. His unparalleled foreign policy record focused on Africa and the Caribbean. In 1986, Congressman Rangel sounded the death knell for apartheid in South Africa with the "Rangel Amendment," which forced the largest U.S. investors to abandon the country. He created trading and investment opportunities for struggling nations in the Caribbean and Africa. In 2010, he successfully promoted vital investment incentives for earthquake ravaged Haiti.

Among his proudest achievements is founding the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program in the State Department, in cooperation with Howard University. As of 2015, most of the 200 Rangel Fellows who completed the program were serving as U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers in U.S. Embassies around the world. Congressman Rangel retired from the United States Congress in 2016. Mr. Rangel still resides with his wife, Alma, in Harlem where he was born. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.



 



     

Accepted by


Salvatore Scarlato
President
Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York

President
Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter 64

Salvatore Scarlato joined the Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter in September 1989. He began by being a Member then was voted in as a Director, Event Chairman, 1st Vice President and, today is the President. He has been the President of this Chapter and the Korean War Veterans Association Department of New York from 2009 to present time (11 years.)

Born in Brookyn, New York on January 14, 1933, Salvatore Scarlato was raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Williamsburg in Brookyn. His parents, Damiano and Carmela Scarlato, were born in the United States in 1905. He attended public school 157 first, then Boys High School in Brookyn, NY.

On October 15, 1951, at the age of 18 ½ years old, Salvatore Scarlato joined the United States Marine Corps. He trained 12 weeks in Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC. After Boot Camp, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA for 12 weeks of combat infantry training; part of the 19 replacement draft to Korea. He arrived in Inchon Harbor (Korea west coast) on April 1952 and proceeded to Ascom City where he was assigned as a Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) man to Baker Company 1st Shore Party Battalion, 1st Marine Division attached to Kimpo Provisional Regiment (K.P.R.) with the 7 Marine Regiment above the Kimpo Penninsula on the main line of Resistence (M.L.R.) This is called the Jamestown Line. He was combat wounded and spent five months in Camp Lejuene Naval Hospital in SC and received an Honorable Medical Discharge from his military service.

Salvatore Scarlato is the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps President Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star, Navy Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star, United Nations Medal, the Korean War Service Medal and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, New York State Conspicuous Service Star.

Salvatore added to his education by using the G.I. Bill by attending the Mondell Institute in Jamaica, NY for electro-mechanical design drafting; he graduated in 1955. Then, he attended Community Brooklyn College at night for two years and took a home study course from the International Technology of Electronics School in Chicago, IL, which he received a Certificate of Completion.

In 1990, he met his first American South Korean, John SJ Ha, who is his 1st Vice President and best friend. Because of John and his important contacts, Salvatore is well known all over the East Coast Metropolitan area of New York and many Korean Communities, as well as, the Blue House in Seoul Korea. He has received many medals and awards from numerous Korean Presidents, Korean Government Officials, Korean Organizations and Korean Retired Generals. Salvatore has been back to Korea eight different times, as an Honored Guest of the Korean Government.

In civilian life, Salvatore was an electro-mechanical designer and worked for various electronic and aircraft companies doing military and commercial designing of electronic equipment, black boxes for aircrafts and ground support equipment.

Salvatore Scarlato married his beautiful, lovely wife, Teresa on June 1, 1957 (married 63 years.) They have two beautiful children, Karen and Thomas and three wonderful grandsons, Nicholas, Steven and Matthew and son-in-law, Wayne. He and his wife reside in Hauppauge, NY.

 



On behalf of Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the oldest and largest business organization in Korea representing approximately 180,000 member companies, Chairman of KCCI, Mr. Park Yongmaan will receive the Van Fleet Award.

 

Accepted by
Yongmaan Park
Chairman
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Acknowledged for his leadership and expertise, Mr. Park was elected Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in August 2013.

Moreover, he has served as executive member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) since June 2014. Mr. Park has played a key role in representing diverse voices of businesses and building close partnerships between the private and public sectors, both domestically and globally.

Mr. Park received a Commander of the Order of the Star from the Italian government in 2016, the Van Fleet Award from the Korea Society in 2014, and Gold Tower Industry Award from the Korean government in 2012. Mr. Park holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Seoul National University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University.

 




BTS
Bangtan Sonyeondan/ Beyond the Scene
Global Superstars

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” is a South Korean boy band that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, the band has established themselves as global superstars breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, BTS has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), topped prominent music charts, performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world and has been named as one of TIME 100: The Most Influential People of 2019. The band has also been recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards.

  



Guest Speakers


Honorable Harry Harris
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Ambassador Harry Harris was nominated by President Trump on May 23, 2018 and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 28, 2018 as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Ambassador Harris commanded the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), now known as the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), from May, 2015 to May, 2018. He is the first Asian-American to hold four-star rank in the U.S. Navy and the first to head USPACOM. Prior to USPACOM, he commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Other operational commands include the U.S. 6th Fleet, Striking and Support Forces NATO, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1, and Patrol Squadron 46.

From 2011 to 2013, Ambassador Harris served as the representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of State. In this role, he traveled to over 80 countries with the Secretary and participated in most of the Secretary’s meetings with foreign leaders. He also served as the U.S. Roadmap Monitor for the Mid-East Peace Process.

Ambassador Harris’ personal decorations include the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Navy Distinguished Service Medals, three Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal. He received the Republic of Korea’s Tong-il medal in 2014. He has also been decorated by the governments of Australia, France, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Ambassador Harris was born in Japan and reared in Tennessee and Florida. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. He holds master’s degrees from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. He also did post-graduate work at Oxford University and completed the Seminar 21 fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ambassador Harris’ father served in the U.S. Navy, and was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Japan after World War II until he retired in 1958. Harris’ mother was Japanese. She moved to Tennessee with her husband and young son in 1958 and became an American citizen in 1974. Ambassador Harris is married to Ms. Bruni Bradley, herself a career Naval officer.



Honorable Yumi Hogan
First Lady of Maryland

Maryland’s First Lady, Yumi Hogan, is the first Korean-American First Lady in the United States. Mrs. Hogan is a first-generation Korean-American, an accomplished artist, and an adjunct professor at Maryland Institute College of Art.

Mrs. Hogan grew up on a farm in the South Korean countryside as the youngest of eight children. She immigrated to the United States over 40 years ago, and raised her three daughters, Kim, Jaymi, and Julie, in Howard County.

In 2016, Mrs. Hogan received the Inspirational Leader Award from the International Leadership Foundation, which recognized her as a trailblazing political and community leader and a role model to the Asian-Pacific American community and all Americans.

Among other reputable recognition, Mrs. Hogan is the recipient of the 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a highly-prestigious, nationally-recognized award by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, which recognizes her accomplishments in leadership and inspired service to the state and nation; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.

Her artwork, created on traditional Hanji paper with Sumi ink and mixed media, has been featured in art shows and museums in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, South Korea and more, including an exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

In addition to her work as an artist, Mrs. Hogan has juried numerous art exhibitions, including statewide and national competitions by the Maryland Federation of Art. In 2016, she served as jury chair for the new Concourse D Gallery at the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport where artists from Maryland and Washington D.C. were selected to feature their work.

As First Lady, Mrs. Hogan has made it a priority to share her love of the arts with Marylanders of all ages through arts education. Since November 2015, Mrs. Hogan has served as the Honorary Chair of the Council for Arts and Culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, working with the University and Baltimore City to promote the arts.

Following Governor Hogan’s diagnosis with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2015 and their family’s battle with the disease, Mrs. Hogan has become a vocal advocate for cancer awareness and devoted much of her time to visiting Marylanders battling cancer, especially children, and their families. In 2016, Mrs. Hogan was recognized for her role as a caregiver and her work raising awareness with the Pheo Para Alliance’s Dr. Cyrus Katzen Humanitarian Award.

Through her work teaching art classes to patients with cancer and people with disabilities, Mrs. Hogan has become a strong proponent of art therapy and the positive impact it can have on health and wellbeing. She plans to continue to support the arts community and work to bring the joy of art to all Marylanders.



Kim Woo Joo 
Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine

Professor Kim Woo Joo is a native of Korea, where he received a Doctor of Medicine (Korea University College of Medicine, 1983) and was boarded in internal medicine (Korea University Hospital, 1987). In 1990, he joined the Division of Infectious Diseases of the Korea University Guro Hospital as a Clinical Instructor and achieved the subspecialty board of adult infectious diseases in 1992. From 1996 to 1997, he served as a visiting scholar at the Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, USA. Between 1999 and 2001, he worked as Chief of the Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and the National Influenza Center at the Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), supervising the surveillance, control, and research activities concerning influenza, measles, rubella, and mumps. While at the KNIH, Professor Kim was instrumental in the establishment of the Korean Influenza Surveillance Scheme (KISS), the first such national surveillance system for influenza. Since 2000, Professor Kim has been a member of the National Advisory Committee on Influenza. He provides advice on issues such as the identification of priority groups for influenza vaccination programs, the appropriate vaccination campaign, surveillance, burden of disease studies, and vaccine safety. Since 2007, he also has been advising on the influenza pandemic preparedness plan that the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) is developing, as well as the research and development of the influenza pandemic vaccine. In recognition of his expertise in and contribution to the field of influenza, he was appointed as Chair of the Trans-governmental Enterprise for Pandemic Influenza in Korea (TEPIK) in 2010, designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He was the president of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases from 2014 to 2015. During the 2015 MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea, he had served as the leader of Rapid Response Team and special supervisor to the prime minister to help the government contain the outbreak within two months. In the last five years, Professor Kim has published numerous articles in international journals, including the Lancet, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vaccine, Clinical Vaccine and Immunology, PLoS One, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Infection, Scientific Reports, Journal of Clinical Virology and the Journal of Medical Virology.

  



Master of Ceremonies


Juju Chang
Co-Anchor
ABC Nightline

Juju Chang is an Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline.” She also reports regularly for “Good Morning America” and “20/20.”

Chang has been recognized for her in-depth personal narratives set against the backdrop of pressing national and international news. Her exclusive television interview with transgender solider Chelsea Manning, after seven years in prison, explored issues of national security leaks and LGBTQ military service. Her profile of former firefighter Pat Hardison – after a groundbreaking face transplant – highlighted the crisis of organ donation. She also interviewed transgender teen Jazz Jennings and her journey towards getting gender confirmation surgery and advocacy for other young transgender people. Additionally, Chang anchored a special edition of “Nightline,” “Consent on Campus,” from Penn State which tackled complex issues surrounding sexual assault.

Chang has also covered major breaking news for decades for ABC News, including Superstorm Sandy, the Orlando nightclub massacre and the Boston Marathon bombing. She has traveled around the world to report on global issues including a three-country trip through Central Africa on the front lines against Boko Haram in the latest on #bringbackourgirls, and to Honduras for “Femicide: the Untold War,” an eye-opening look at rampant violence against women.

Chang has profiled newsmakers like Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, former Vice President Joe Biden and Oprah Winfrey as well as entertainers like Chris Pratt, Channing Tatum, Nicki Minaj, and Bella Thorne. Her extensive feature reporting covers parenting dilemmas, digital addictions and social media moguls like Dude Perfect and Esther the Wonder Pig.

A former news anchor for “Good Morning America,” Chang joined ABC News as an entry level desk assistant in 1987 and rose to become a producer for “World News Tonight.” Her first on-air job was reporting for KGO-TV in San Francisco. After a year in Washington, D.C. covering the White House, Capitol Hill and the presidential election for NewsOne, she co-anchored the overnight show “World News Now.” Chang’s work has been recognized with numerous awards including multiple Emmy’s, Gracie’s, a DuPont, a Murrow and Peabody awards. In 2017, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Front Page Awards.

Born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Northern California, Chang graduated with honors from Stanford University with a B.A. in political science and communication. She is married to WNET President and CEO Neal Shapiro and together they have three sons. Chang is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a founding board member of the Korean American Community Foundation.

  



SUPPORTERS

 

 

Gala Video Sponsor
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 
Benefactor
Citi
 
FILA & Acushnet
 
Hyundai Motor America
 
LG Electronics
 
Samsung Electronics America
 
Sponsor
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York
 
MetLife
 
Donor
Korea International Trade Association (KITA)
 
Poongsan Corporation
 
Contributor
Chong Kun Dang Kochon Foundation
 
Dentons
 
Kim & Chang
 
McLarty Associates
 
John J. Moon & Hee-Jung S. Moon
 
Additional Supporter
Earth Therapeutics
 
Dr. Ho Youn Kim
Founder of the Kim Koo Foundation
Chairman of Binggrae Corporation Ltd.
 
Van Fleet Award Sponsor
Young H.T. Cho
Chairman, Donghwa Cultural Foundation and SWPK Art Gallery
President, Anthrop-J Investment Group, LLC
 
Cynthia and Anthony Kim
 
Sang H. Pak
Retired Partner
KPMG LLP
 
General (Ret) Skip Sharp
Former Commander of the United Nations Command,
ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and
U.S Forces Korea
 
Special Acknowledgement
Seung-Hoon Lee
Senior Advisor
Dentons Lee
 
Michael Woods
CEO & COO
Big Sun Holdings Group