About the Speakers:



Thomas J. Byrne joined The Korea Society as its President in August of 2015. He comes to the Society from Moody's Investor Services, where he was Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, Spokesperson, and Director of Analysis for the Sovereign Risk Group in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions working in Moody’s Singapore office. Before moving to Moody's in 1996, he was the Senior Economist of the Asia Department at the Institute of International Finance in Washington DC. Tom has an MA degree in International Relations with an emphasis on economics from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BS degree in Biology from State University of New York at Stony Brook. Before his graduate work, he served in South Korea for three years as a US Peace Corps volunteer. President Byrne teaches as an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in New York City and at Georgetown University's Graduate School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. As president, he has written opinion articles which were published in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg View, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The National Interest, and Reuters Breakingviews.





Jonathan Corrado is Director of Policy for The Korea Society. He produces programming and conducts research on a range of security, diplomacy, and socioeconomic issues impacting the U.S.-Korea Alliance, the Korean Peninsula, and Northeast Asia. Beginning in Fall 2023, Jonathan will teach a class at SUNY Stony Brook University titled, "North Korea: State, Society, Diplomacy, and Security." He was previously a non-resident James A. Kelly Fellow at Pacific Forum, an Emerging Leader at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, and a contributor to NK Pro. He has published peer-reviewed articles in the International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, the Journal of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, and Asian Politics & Policy. He has also published analysis in outlets such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and War on the Rocks. Jonathan was previously a translator for Daily NK (Korean to English), an FCPA due diligence investigator for Steele Compliance Solutions, a graduate fellow for McLarty Associates, and a volunteer analyst for the Congressional Research Service. Jonathan received an MA from Georgetown University's Asian Studies Program in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and a BA in anthropology and philosophy from the University of Maryland College Park.





Dr. Darcie Draudt is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. A political scientist and policy analyst, she publishes regular commentary on South and North Korean domestic politics and foreign policy, Northeast Asian relations, and US- Korea policy. Draudt currently holds nonresident fellowships at the George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS), the Korea Economic Institute, the National Bureau of Asian Research, and the European Centre for North Korea Studies (ECNK) at the University of Vienna. She has been named a member of the National Committee on North Korea and one of the Next Generation Korea Peninsula Specialists at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. She has previously held research positions at the George Washington University Institute of Korean Studies, Yonsei University Department of Political Science, Council on Foreign Relations, Pacific Forum (formerly Pacific Forum CSIS), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Research and Training Center in South Korea. Draudt holds a PhD in Political Science from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA in Korean Studies from the Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, and a BA with Honors in Anthropology from Davidson College. Draudt lived in Seoul, South Korea, from 2008 through 2013.





Susan M. Elliott, Ambassador (ret.) is an accomplished diplomat with an earned doctorate from Indiana University. During her 27-year diplomatic career, Ambassador Elliott held a variety of leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State. She became President and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy in August 2018. From 2015 to 2017, Ambassador Elliott served as the Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of the United States European Command. Ambassador Elliott was the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan from 2012 to 2015. Prior to her Ambassadorial appointment, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Ambassador Elliott served on the faculties of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia before joining the U.S. Department of State in March 1990. During her Foreign Service career, Ambassador Elliott worked in a variety of overseas and Washington-based assignments. Her previous overseas assignments include Minister Counselor for Political Affairs in Moscow, Russia; Principal Officer in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Deputy Economic Counselor and Visa Section Chief in Athens, Greece. Other overseas assignments include Moscow, Russia and Lima, Peru. Ambassador Elliott worked on the staff of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a Deputy Executive Secretary and Director of the Executive Secretariat Staff. Earlier in her career she reported on conflicts in the countries of the former Soviet Union when she worked in the Office of the Coordinator for Regional Conflicts in the New Independent States.





Dr. David Fields earned his PhD in history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, specializing in US-Korean relations. He is the author of Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea and the editor of The Diary of Syngman Rhee, 1904–34, 1944, published by the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Since 2015, he has been the book review editor of the Journal of American-East Asian Relations. He has been published in the Washington Post, North Korea Review, Journal of American-East Asian Relations, SinoNK.com, Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea Branch, and in the Working Papers Series of the Cold War International History Project. His research and analysis has been featured on National Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, C-SPAN, and CNN.





Dr. Jongwoo Han has taught in the political science department of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University since he got his doctoral degree in 1997. He founded the Korean War Veterans Digital Memorial in 2012 and currently serves as President of the World History Digital Education Foundation and the Korean War Legacy Foundation. By 2022, his foundation has completed a Korean War veterans digital archive of interviews of all 22 Korean War participant countries, which is first of its kind. The Korean War Legacy Foundation received a grant in 2023 from The Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Eastern Region Program. Both foundations have also published a total of 7 curriculum books with US’ largest social studies organization, the National Council for Social Studies, on the legacy of the Korean War, history, culture, and modern Korea.





Tim Hwang is currently the Founder and CEO of FiscalNote. The company owns media and news company CQ Roll Call Group, which it acquired from The Economist Group in 2018 and creates a technology platform that combines award-winning journalism along with products and services that provide access to large quantities of data, news, and analysis for all levels of government. The global company with offices across DC, NYC, Baton Rouge, Seoul, India and Brussels is the largest privately held company in the legal analytics and regtech space and powers over 4,000 of the world's largest and most influential corporations, associations, non-profits, and law firms, creating a more open and transparent society through data. With Hwang's technology and capital partners from the likes of Mark Cuban, Jerry Yang, Steve Case, NEA, Renren and others, FiscalNote is revolutionizing access to legislation, regulations, and court cases for organizations around the world.





Joseph Juhn is a lawyer-turned-filmmaker with passion for diasporic narratives. His latest documentary, "CHOSEN", sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of five Korean Americans who ran for US Congress in 2020, and has been praised by audiences and critics alike since its release in Korean theaters in 2022. Joseph's debut feature documentary, "JERONIMO", released in 2019, explored the life of a Korean Cuban revolutionary named, Jeronimo Lim, and inspired a discourse on the concept of Korean diaspora in both the US and Korea. Prior to working on “JERONIMO” full-time, Joseph was an in-house counsel at the Manhattan-based South Korean government agency (KOTRA) for 4 years where he advised Korean companies and entrepreneurs on US intellectual property and startup law. Joseph studied Film and Video at UC San Diego and got his JD at Syracuse University College of Law. <





Sue Yon Kang has been serving as Deputy Director General for Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since March 2021. In this capacity, she oversees a wide range of cultural, academic, educational and digital public diplomacy programs of the Ministry and its overseas missions to promote mutual understanding between the Korean people and people of other nations. As a career diplomat, Ms. Kang’s previous assignments include Minister-Counselor at the Korean Embassy in Singapore from 2018 to 2021, Assistant Secretary to the President for State Affairs and Planning from 2013 to 2014, Counselor at the Korean Embassy in the Lao PDR from 2009 to 2011, and Director for Planning and Organization from 2015 to 2016. From 2014 to 2015, she was a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center. Ms. Kang has spent several years working on Korea-U.S. relations and peace and security on the Korean Peninsula since joining the Foreign Ministry in 1999. She served as Director for the North America Division II from 2016 to 2018, Deputy Director for the Korean Peninsula Peace Regime Division from 2012 to 2013, Second Secretary at the Korean Embassy in the U.S. from 2004 to 2006, and Assistant Director for the North America Division I from 1999 to 2004. Ms. Kang holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Yonsei University and a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University.





Consul General Euy Whan Kim assumed his role as the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in New York on December 23, 2022. As an accomplished author of six books and a global expert in public affairs and policy, he brings more than three decades of diverse experience in public service to his current position. Before becoming Consul General, Mr. Kim held various positions within the Korean government. He served as the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) from July 2019 to December 2020. This appointment followed his secondment to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a Senior Anti-Corruption Advisor in October 2017. Beginning in March 2011, he took on multiple Director-General roles within the ACRC, leading the Bureaus of Anti-Corruption, Administrative Appeal, and Ombudsman. In 2008, Mr. Kim served as Deputy Secretary to the President for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Economic Affairs and Public Relations Planning. From 2002, he held various positions at the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC), including Chief Director and Director of several divisions. Before focusing on anti-corruption, he worked for the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the country's antitrust watchdog. Mr. Kim's career began in 1991 at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs after passing the 34th High Civil Service Examination in 1990. Mr. Kim is married with one daughter. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from Korea University and an M.A. in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University.





Soeun Lee is a lawyer, musician and writer based in New York. She was previously a performing and recording artist in the Korean pop music industry since her debut in 1998. She released four studio albums and collaborated extensively with renowned artists such as Yoonsang, Lee Seunghwan, and Kim Dongryul. She received her undergraduate degree from Korea University in Seoul and, after a decade in the music industry, took a professional career turn and received her J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She practiced litigation and international arbitration in New York City, most recently serving as Director of an international organization specializing in transnational disputes. She has published two books and is a frequent contributor to publications such as Vogue Korea, Monthly Essays (월간 에세이) and is a columnist for Law Times, a legal publication in Korea. She is a Founding Board Member of Music by the Glass, an arts non-for profit organization. She is currently creating and producing an original animated series.





Governor Philip D. Murphy took the oath of office for a second term as New Jersey’s 56th governor on January 18, 2022. He is the first Democratic governor to serve a second term in 44 years. Governor Murphy currently serves as chair of the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association, the first governor to lead both organizations simultaneously. Since taking office in 2018, Governor Murphy has focused on building a stronger, fairer, and more affordable New Jersey. Under his leadership, New Jersey has made strides in growing the state’s economy and creating new economic opportunity while shrinking long standing inequities, restoring fiscal responsibility to state government while expanding critical investments, and delivering real tax fairness and relief, including 14 tax cuts for New Jersey’s middle class and seniors. Governor Murphy guided New Jersey from being the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic to a model state for following the highest level of public health standards and data-driven response, implementing among the nation’s most robust vaccination efforts and fostering a strong economic recovery. Over the course of two years, the Murphy Administration has provided billions of dollars in state and federal relief to small businesses, schools, homeowners, tenants, and landlords, and middle-class families.





Dr. Travis Tae Oh is Assistant Professor of Marketing at Yeshiva University. Prior to joining Yeshiva University, Professor Oh completed his PhD in Marketing at Columbia University and holds a Bachelor's degree with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from University of Virginia. After graduating from college, he spent several years as a market research analyst and sales manager at an agricultural equipment company, while consulting for and engaging in various start-ups. His research primarily examines the underlying psychological processes and meanings of consumer experiences, with a focus on conceptualizing and investigating fun in people's lives. Broadly, Professor Oh's research spans across topics such as creativity, branding, and hedonic consumption/experiences. His work has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Vox, The Washington Post, Next Avenue, Stylus. He also regularly writes for Psychology Today.





Assemblywoman Ellen J. Park represents District 37 as a Democrat in the New Jersey Legislature, where she has served since 2022. Her committee assignments include the Financial Institutions committee and the Insurance (AFI) and Science, Innovation and Technology (AST) committee. Assemblywoman Park is also Associate Vice President of Claims for Hub International. She previously served on the Borough of Englewood Cliffs Council from 2016-18. Assemblywoman Park holds a B.A. from New York University in Political Science and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.





H.E. Park Jin is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and has served in this role since May 2022. Previously, Minister Park was the head of the ROK-US Policy Consultation Delegation for the 20th Presidential Transition Committee and Chairman of the Global Vision Committee for the 20th Presidential Election Headquarters, People Power Party in 2022. Prior to this, he served as a Member of the National Assembly for four terms beginning in 2002 (in the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 21st National Assemblies). He was Co-President of the Parliamentary Diplomacy Forum on the United States, Co-Chairman of the Future Policy Research Association, and Chairman of the Global Diplomacy and Security Forum in 21st National Assembly (2020-2022). From 2012 to 2020, he dedicated his life to various academic pursuits. He served as a Global Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C. (2014-2021). Minister Park also taught as an endowed Chair Professor at the Graduate School of International and Area Studies of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (2013-2020). Since he started his profession as a diplomat in 1977, he has held various distinguished positions such as serving as the Presidential Secretary for Press Affairs and later Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs (1993-1998). He also led the Korea-Britain Society as the Executive President (2004-2017). He is a registered member of the New York State Bar (since 2001) and a regular member of the Seoul Forum for International Affairs. He graduated from the College of law at Seoul National University (BA), Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (MPA), New York University Law School (LLM) and received a doctorate degree (D. Phil.) in politics from St. Antony's College, Oxford University.

Dr. Kathryn Weathersby is Adjunct Professor of Asian Studies in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. A specialist in the Korean War and the history of North Korea, she previously taught in the Department of History of Korea University, Seoul, and at the US-Korea Institute of the School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, in Washington, DC. In the 1990s she conducted pioneering research in Russian archives on the establishment of the DPRK and the Korean War and has written and lectured widely on these subjects. In 2014 the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea honored her work by awarding her the Medal of Civilian Merit.

KyuJung Whang was appointed Vice President for Facilities of the University effective January 2017. Prior to his appointment he led Cornell University’s Division of Infrastructure, Properties and Planning which encompasses all the traditional facilities functions as well as Cornell Real Estate, the Office of Sustainability, and Transportation and Mail Services. Whang has been a licensed architect and professional planner since graduating from Syracuse University in 1981 with a Bachelors of Architecture degree. He has extensive backgrounds in capital project management, facilities management and campus planning in the private and public sectors. He previously served as the Vice President for Facilities and Capital Planning at Rutgers University. Whang currently serves as a board member and Secretary for the Princeton Community Housing Board of Trustees. He previously served as a board member for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), and both the New Jersey and New York State Board of Architecture. Additional professional involvements include serving as a visiting team member on behalf of the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB); and serving in various capacities for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). While at Rutgers, he was a founding member of the New Jersey Higher Educational Partnership in Sustainability, an organization promoting environmentally focused design standards for New Jersey higher education institutions.






Janice Yu joined the ABC7 Eyewitness News team as a reporter in August 2022. She is excited to be part of a legendary team of talented journalists! Prior to joining the team, she worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for FOX5 Atlanta. During her time there she chased breaking news, covered feature stories, the 2020 Presidential race, protests, the Atlanta and Cherokee County spa shootings, and the trial of the men convicted in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery. Janice earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism (Bear Down!). She's worked as a reporter and anchor in El Paso and Amarillo, and as a breaking news anchor in her hometown of Tucson. So, what is a desert dweller doing in the Northeast? Janice has family in the New York area and her husband was born on Long Island. The majority of his family lives in the area, so Janice and Owen are thrilled to be able to spend more time with them. Janice was born in Seoul, South Korea and is fluent in Korean. She's a member of the Asian American Journalist Association, which advocates for diversity in journalism. In her spare time, Janice loves trying new restaurants, spending time with family and her dogs, and watching documentaries.