The Korea-America Association (KAA), led by Chairman Choi Joong-kyung, is urgently seeking descendants of the late Lee Won-soon, its founding president, to honor his contributions to U.S.-South Korea relations and South Korea’s modernization.
The KAA aims to locate his family members, believed to reside in the United States, to present them with a commemorative plaque in recognition of Lee’s legacy.
Established in 1963, the KAA is a civilian organization dedicated to fostering friendship and exchange between South Korea and the United States. Under the leadership of prominent figures such as Lee Won-soon, Song In-sang, Chung Se-yung, Koo Pyong-hwoi, and Han Sung-joo, the organization has played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties.
In October 2023, the KAA held its 22nd Annual Korea-U.S. Friendship Night at the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, selecting Lee Won-soon and his wife, Lee Mary, as recipients of the Korea-U.S. Friendship Award.
However, in the absence of Lee’s family, the award was accepted on their behalf by Kim Jin-hyun, Chairman of the World Peace Forum and former Minister of Science and Technology, who had worked closely with Lee during his career. Despite extensive efforts, the KAA was unable to locate Lee’s relatives in Korea.
Born in Seoul in 1890, Lee Won-soon graduated from Bosung College (now Korea University) before seeking refuge in Hawaii. There, he actively supported the Korean independence movement, submitting reports on the March 1st Independence Movement to the U.S. government and advocating for Korea’s cause.
Lee also served with the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai, China and founded the Korea-America Trading Company in New York. He played a crucial role in lobbying the U.S. Congress to pass immigration legislation benefiting Koreans.
Lee’s influence extended to sports diplomacy. In 1946, just a month before the Stockholm International Olympic Committee meeting, he traveled to Europe to secure approval for Korea’s membership in the IOC, leaving a lasting mark on Korea’s Olympic history.
Later, in 1963, he founded the KAA to further enhance U.S.-Korea relations. For his contributions, Lee was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1991. He passed away in 1993 and was buried at the National Cemetery in Seoul. Lee was also the maternal uncle of former First Lady Lee Hee-ho, wife of President Kim Dae-jung.
The couple had one son, who tragically died during the Korean War. Their three daughters—Agnes, Marian, and Lillian—are believed to have married Korean Americans and settled in the United States. Now in their late 80s, they and their descendants are thought to still reside in the United States.
Kim emphasized, “Presenting this plaque to Lee Won-soon’s descendants, who played a crucial role in Korea’s modernization and the Seoul Olympics, would be a great honor.” The plaque is currently safeguarded by The Korea Daily.
KAA Chairman Choi Joong-kyung, a former Minister of Knowledge Economy, expressed hope that The Korea Daily’s extensive network in the Korean American community will help expedite the search for Lee’s descendants.
For information or assistance, please contact:
• Chairman Choi Joong-kyung: choijk1956@hanmail.net
• The Korea Daily: (310) 617-9795
By Brian Choi [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
