Kyung-hwa Kang’s vision for expanding Korean studies at Asia Society celebrated in LA

A welcoming event for Kyung-hwa Kang, the former South Korean Foreign Minister who was appointed as the President and CEO of the Asia Society in April, was held on August 26 in Los Angeles.

The Asia Society, established in 1956, operates 16 offices globally with the mission of enhancing global exchange and understanding of Asia.

Kang, who served as South Korea’s 38th Foreign Minister from 2017 to 2021, has made history as the first Korean woman to lead the Asia Society. She is an alumna of Ewha Girls’ High School and Yonsei University, where she majored in political science and diplomacy, and she holds a master’s degree and completed doctoral studies in communication at the University of Massachusetts.

 

 

Her career also includes a decade of service at the United Nations, where held key leadership roles and was appointed to senior positions by three consecutive Secretaries-General.

The luncheon, held at the InterContinental Hotel, was hosted by Kim Young-seok, CEO of 3Plus Logistics, and attended by over 20 Korean American leaders, including U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Steel, Ha Ki-hwan, Chairman of Hannam Chain, Dan Lee, Chairman of Active USA, Kang Chang-keun, Chairman of Edgemine, and Bonnie Lee, President of Hanmi Bank.

During the event, Congresswoman Michelle Steel expressed her hope that the Asia Society would play a significant role in promoting a better understanding of Korea, noting that there is still a lack of awareness about the country in the U.S. Congress.

Kim Young-seok stated, “We celebrate the historic appointment of former Minister Kang as the head of the Asia Society with the Korean American community and have high expectations for her future endeavors. Let this gathering be a stepping stone for further engagement between the LA Korean community and the Asia Society.”

In her remarks, President Kang noted, “It is a reality that there is still a lack of programs within the Asia Society dedicated to researching and promoting Korea. I am eager to expand Korean studies and outreach, with the support and interest of the Korean American community in LA.”

Attendees shared a common sentiment that Korea is still not as well-known in the United States, both economically and culturally, as Japan, and urged President Kang to be active in her efforts to change this.

BY BRIAN CHOI, YOUNGNAM KIM [ichoi@koreadaily.com]