2016 Annual Meeting - September 24th in Washington DC

Fifty years ago – September 16, 1966 to be exact – the first Peace Corps volunteers landed at Kimpo Airport.  Fifty years later, Korea is transformed from one of the poorest countries in the world to a donor nation sharing its resources with other countries seeking to emulate its success.  Against this background, Friends of Korea held its 2016 Annual Meeting in Washington DC on Saturday, September 24th, 2016.  

​More than 70 people joined us for the annual meeting from 3 t 6 pm.  Topics covered on the membership meeting included a report  on the results of the recent board election, a financial update and a summary of recent activities.  Minutes from the meeting will be posted shortly.  Click here to see the PowerPoint presentation from the member meeting.  

Once the business meeting was over, there was a panel session focused on changing perceptions of Korea moderated by Thomas Byrne, President of the Korea Society.  That was followed by a presentation on the Korean Heritage Library at USC and a tribute to Brian Barry.

The day ended with a lovely dinner at the home of Ambassador Ahn.  Maura O'Donnell presented Kathy Stephens with the first Kevin O'Donnell Distinguished Friends of Korea Award.  Friends of Korea presented a gift to the VA Korean American Disabled People's Association (버지니아 한미장애인협회) in support of their work with disabled people and their families by providing financial, education, referrals, interpretation, recreational and advocacy support and services.

Want to see photos from the day's events?  Click here