The Korea Society

“During the november 2024 board meeting, organization's board of directors approved the change to by-law allowing the current chairperson and newly created position of vice chairperson one more term as a board member in addition to the three-term limit.”

“The korea society, inc. Was incorporated as a membership organization.”

“There shall be a nominating committee consisting of 5 to 7 directors. Any director may nominate any director to serve on the nominating committee. The members of the nominating committee shall be elected by the board of directors, by a majority vote of directors present, to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies on the nominating committee may be filled by the board of directors at any meeting.”

“All decisions made by the executive committee must be approved by the entire governing body.”

“The form 990 is prepared by an independent professional accountant and reviewed by the audit committee. After the audit committee members' questions are answered by the independent professional accountant, a complete copy of the form 990 is provided to all members of the board of directors before filing with the irs.”

“At the first meeting of the year, directors and key employees are required to disclose any conflict of interest, if any, with the society.”

“The nominating committee will consist of an independent board member review and approval of the compensation of the society's top management officials before the chairman signs the employment contract with them.”

“The society does not make its governing documents and conflict of interest policy available to the public.”

“The korea society (the "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. 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.”

“Media: see schedule o. Media: in 2024, the korea society continued to make significant strides in the realms of web and print. Web: created a number of visual and security updates to our website. Generating average of 13k clicks and 700k impressions on a monthly basis. Print: the korea society's annual report garnered international acclaim once again, clinching both the gold vision award and the bronze arc award for the best annual report in the non-profits category. Notably, the kim koo professional series booklet maintained its production momentum through collaboration with the kim koo foundation as well as quarterly digital program calendars, special events and gallery exhibition print materials. The korea society furthered its presence in both print and digital media in 2024. The total number of media hits from january to december 1st of this year was 686; a 30.7% increase from 2023. Media hits included coverage on society programs from all areas and special events such as the annual dinner. Quotes and commentary from society leadership, staff, and board members were also featured prominently in the media. In march, president tom byrne was interviewed by korea economic daily in response to concerns among korean companies about policy risks related to the u.s. Presidential election. In november, president byrne was interviewed by chosun ilbo for his thoughts on the potential impacts of president-elect trump's second term on u.s.-korea relations. President byrne's appearance at the opening of the republic of korea jeollanam-do garden in manhattan and the korea society's companion program with jeollanam-do governor kim young-rok in october received heavy coverage by korean media including outlets such as yonhap and maeil business newspaper. These appearances in widely publicized media reflect the korea society's standing as a prominent and respected source for analysis and commentary. The korea society engages an active global audience through its online presence. From january 1 to december 18, 2024, the society's website received 438,964 visitors, a 21.8% increase from last year. Podcast downloads reached a new height of 376,615. Youtube subscribers jumped from 15,925 in 2023 to 19,374 in 2024 12% higher increase than from 2022 to 2023. Youtube views on our programs totaled 238,502, a 36.9% increase from the year prior. The society's social media accounts show high audience engagement and interest across program areas. The society's linkedin page continues to grow rapidly, attracting 5,746 followers, a 29.9% increase from 2023. Our twitter accounts have maintained over 33,300 followers, and the society's instagram account has amassed over 9,734 followers as of december 31, 2024.”

“Education: in 2024, the society's educational programs offered a variety of opportunities and resources for individuals, educators, and students focused on advancing knowledge and understanding of korea in the us and promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of both countries. The society's educational programs in 2024 included the following. The society's korean language program, which offers an eight (8) level program over four terms a ten-week winter, spring and fall term and an eight week summer term, continued to have another very strong year, attracting nearly 1,300 students, matching the previous year's record-breaking numbers of students hailed from 40 states and the district of columbia and 13 countries. Our project bridge youth ambassador program, the education department's longest-running program, is an academic year-long program for high school students that aims to advance participants' understanding of korea while developing their leadership skills. Over the course of nine (9) months it provides bi-monthly workshops, a ten-day study tour to korea and community presentations which attracted many alumni, teachers and family members. Our general korean studies programming included in-person high school group workshops where in 2024 again our reach expanded significantly. We offered thirteen (13) workshops, more than doubling the number offered in 2023. We reached 443 students and educators, a 35% increase from 2023 (325) and more than quintupled the numbers since 2022 (75) which was when we first returned to offering workshops after covid. The department continued to administer the society's prestigious rising star award, the sherman family korea emerging scholar lecture award, geared to phd students, young lecturers, researchers, and others in the field which includes travel and lodging to new york to offer the lecture and a $2,500 honorarium. In 2024, the education department fully implemented the undergraduate korea study abroad travel grant competition that was piloted in fall 2023. As part of our commitment to promoting greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the u.s. And korea, we created this program for underfinanced students needing additional monies to cover transportation costs. This 'topping off' grant of $2,000 was offered to ten students. In 2024 the department hosted a number of new groups/collaborations at the society including the kyung-uh scholarship association's 14th annual teens speak speech competition, the korea america school conference (kasc-17) group, students and faculty from jeonbuk national university, and returned peace corps volunteers. And we continued to enhance our online resources for educators. Total number of korean language students: 1,274 total number of high school workshop: 13 in-person participants: 443 total number of education collaborations: 4 total number of korean studies resources landing page hits: 4,200”

“Policy: in 2024, korea society policy programs educated the society's membership on matters related to the u.s.-republic of korea (rok) relationship, our common values, and korea's regional relations. A highlight for 2024 was a conference held at the mayflower hotel in washington dc to provide insights on the fast evolving threats and opportunities impacting the dynamic u.s.-rok relationship, including a panel on security, a panel on diplomacy, and a keynote address. Throughout the year, the policy team offered a range of public policy events to serve as a forum for exchange featuring experienced and knowledgeable speakers, attracting an in-person audience in new york and a global audience online. A roundtable dialogue series called the kim koo professional series at the korea society brought together new york professionals from business, media and international organizations for a timely discussion of events on the korean peninsula and in east asia. The society honored u.s. Veterans with an annual armistice day salute to american and korean american veterans of the korean war. Total number of programs: 27 registrants for all programs: 6,352 youtube views for all programs: 24,955 podcast downloads for all programs: 16,747”