Awardees

Accepted by

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Accepted by
Brian P. Kemp
Governor
State of Georgia

Governor Brian P. Kemp is currently serving his second term as Georgia’s 83rd governor. Throughout the Kemp administration, Georgia has consistently broken economic records with jobs and investment in every corner of the state. Korea has become the state’s largest source of foreign direct investment in recent years, with a mission to Korea as Kemp’s first overseas mission as Governor in 2019. During Kemp’s term, Korean investment in the State of Georgia has increased nearly 600% through state-worked economic development projects alone. Under Kemp’s leadership, Georgia’s commitment to bringing opportunity to all of its citizens has led to a partnership with Korean job creators that is bringing generational investment to hardworking Georgians.

A native of Athens, Georgia, Brian Kemp started his first small business over 35 years ago. His experience as a small business owner has driven his mission as governor to put hardworking Georgians first, and his leadership is yielding historic economic results. Thanks to his decision to reopen first during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia’s unemployment rate is at its lowest point in state history, there are more Georgians working than ever before, and Georgia has been named the Top State for Business for an unprecedented nine consecutive years.

Governor Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and their three daughters live on their family farm in Athens and are committed to building a safer, stronger Georgia for all who call the Peach State “home.”

Accepted by

Korea International Trade Association (KITA)

Accepted by
Christopher Koo
Chairman
Korea International Trade Association (KITA)

Christopher Koo is Chairman of Korea International Trade Association (KITA). In his capacity, he oversees the overall trade policies and promotion activities aimed at bolstering the Korean economy. Koo is concurrently Chairman of the Board at the LS Group while serving as Chairman of the Korea-US Economic Council (KUSEC), contributing to enhancing long-standing Korea-U.S. relationship.

Prior to his appointment to this position in February 2021, he dedicated his entire life to the world of business. Koo began his career in 1978 at the Bando Trading (currently LX International) where he held a position at the New York Office (1980-1984) and assumed the role of Regional Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Office in Singapore (1990-1992). He was also the Chief Sales Officer and later became Vice President of Sales (1997-2001) at the LG Investments & Securities (currently NH Investment & Securities). In October 2001, he joined LG Cable (currently LS Cable & System) and served as the Chairman of LS Group (2001-2021). Under his outstanding leadership, LS Group successfully transformed itself into the world's 3rd largest wire and cable manufacturer.

As a former Chairman of Korea Cycling Federation (2015-2022), Mr. Koo is a renown cycling enthusiast and the first Asian cyclist to complete the Trans Alps Challenge. He is also a former Chairman of Korea Invention Promotion Association (2014-2021) and incumbent Chairman of Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf Seoul) Organizing Committee with tremendous contribution to the development of art, culture and science in Korea.

Known as a highly recognized business leader, he was honored with Korea’s Most Admired Executive Award in 2015 and Gold Order of Industrial Service Merit in 2009 for his unrivalled meritorious service in the growth of domestic industry.

Christopher Koo earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Korea University and completed degree coursework at London Business School. In 2023, he received an Honorary Ph. D. in Philosophy from Korea University.

Guest Speaker

Young Kim
Congresswoman
U.S. Representative for California’s 40th Congressional District

Representative Young Kim is proud to represent California’s 40th District, which includes parts of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, in the U.S. House of Representatives. An immigrant, small business owner, community leader, former California Assemblywoman, mother, and grandmother, Young is proud to be one of the first Korean American women ever to serve in Congress and is fighting to help all Americans have the chance to achieve their dream just like she did.

In the House of Representatives, Young serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee – where she serves as Chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee and as a member of the Africa Subcommittee – and on the House Financial Services Committee – where she serves as Vice Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions and as a member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee. Young also serves as co-chair of the Women in STEM Caucus, the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, and the Maternity Care Caucus.

In her first term, Young had nearly 30 bills pass out of the House of Representatives and more than a dozen signed into law. Her record was ranked among the most effective of members of Congress according to the Center for Effective Lawmaking, the Common Ground Committee, the Lugar Center and McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, and data by Quorum Analytics. She also received the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Legislative Action Award.

Young and her husband Charles live in Anaheim Hills in CA-40 and are the proud parents of Christine, Kelly, Alvin and Hannah and grandparents of Mia and Caleb.

Master of Ceremonies

Vivian Lee
TV journalist & Correspondent
Asian American Life

Vivian Lee (she/her) is an Emmy-winning TV journalist, public speaker, moderator and director/producer in New York. She is currently a correspondent with Asian American Life, a production of CUNY-TV. Vivian also co-hosts a podcast called The 5 Of Us that examines issues affecting women who work. Before that she was an anchor, show host, and reporter for Spectrum News NY1.

During her 12 years at NY1, she covered numerous stories of national and international importance, including live, continuous coverage of the COVID pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and Joe Biden’s 2020 election win; Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign, Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of the city’s coastal communities, and Pope Francis’ election from Vatican City. Vivian was the first reporter from New York City to report Francis’ election live from St. Peter’s Square.

Vivian also hosted Spotlight New York, a weekly magazine show exploring the creative landscape of the five boroughs of NYC, its arts and cultural institutions, and up-and-coming performers as well as legacy artists. Her work was recognized in 2020 with an Emmy Award for her story on Manhattan’s famed Joe’s Pub.

Vivian’s career in New York started at WNBC in 2002, where she was a general assignment reporter covering local politics, transit, healthcare and education issues. Prior to that she was CityTV Toronto's parliamentary correspondent and federal affairs reporter in Ottawa, Canada.

Vivian began reporting while completing her journalism degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, with stints at CJOH-TV Ottawa, ATV-ASN News Halifax, and A Channel Calgary, where she co-anchored the award-winning weeknight evening news show “A Channel News@Night.”

Vivian has received numerous awards recognizing her industry and community contributions, including the New York Women’s Foundation’s 2021 “Pillars of Courage” award, shared with four of her former NY1 colleagues. She also received KAFSC’s 2019 Lifetime Engagement Award. A featured speaker on numerous panels and workshops discussing ageism, gender discrimination and Asian American identity,

Vivian currently serves as co-chair of KoreanAmericanStory.org and lives in New York with her husband and two daughters.

PERFORMANCE

I LOVE DANCE

I LOVE DANCE (ILD) was launched in 2006 by MJ Choi. Since its founding, it has evolved to galvanize K-POP culture in the greater NYC area. Today, it provides K-POP Dance Classes in Manhattan, Flushing, and Fort Lee NJ (Soon to open its 4th location in Long Island) where classes are filled with a fun-loving, diverse group of K-POP fans that share a very special bond.

A truly unique characteristic of I LOVE DANCE is that despite its predominant K-POP focus, more than 90% of its members are non-Korean. Students of various backgrounds meet not only to learn dance, but also to socialize and embrace each other’s uniqueness. Truly, this has been a testament to the growing popularity of the K-POP culture, as well as the unifying characteristic of dance as an art form.

Currently, I LOVE DANCE hosts about 1000 members enrolled in dance classes each month. Beyond offering top notch Dance Classes, I LOVE DANCE produces professional K-POP Cover Videos (~50 Million aggregate views to date on YouTube), organizes Flash Mobs, offers dance performances and workshops (Lincoln Center, Met Museum, AMNH Museum, Google, Samsung, Twitch, Etsy, Cigna), hosts auditions in collaboration with major Entertainment companies (YG, JYP, FNC, BigHit, Pledis, Hybe), and works to serve as an ambassador to spread K-POP culture in the US.

Table Sponsorship and Individual Ticket

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM


DINNER COMMITTEE

LEADER - $100,000
• Recognition from the podium as Dinner Committee
• 10 guests for VIP reception; 10 guests for general reception
• 10 guests for dinner in premium seating; 10 guests for dinner in preferred seating
• Full-page Acknowledgment; corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the dinner program book

BENEFACTOR - $50,000
• Recognition from the podium as Dinner Committee
• 10 guests for VIP reception
• 10 guests in priority seating
• Full-page Acknowledgment; corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the dinner program book

PATRON - $30,000
• Recognition from the podium as Dinner Committee
• 4 guests for VIP reception; 6 guests for general reception
• 10 guests in preferred seating
• Full-page Acknowledgment; corporate profile with photo and bio of corporate representative in the dinner program book


In addition to above benefits, Dinner Committees will receive
• recognition by level on the event webpage, promotional emails, social media, and a large screen aside the stage in the event room.
• Year-round recognition in the Korea Society’s Annual Report

TABLE SPONSORSHIP

SPONSOR - $20,000
• 2 guests for VIP reception; 8 guests for general reception
• 10 guests for dinner
• Half-page Acknowledgment; corporate profile with photo of corporate representative in the dinner program book

DONOR - $15,000
• 10 guests for general reception and dinner
• Half-page Acknowledgment; corporate profile in the dinner program book

ALL SPONSORS BENEFITS INCLUDE:
• Recognition by level on event webpage, promotional emails, social media, and a large screen aside the stage in the event room.
• Year-round recognition in the Korea Society’s Annual Report

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT AND TICKETS

PATRON COUPLE - $6,000
• 2 tickets for VIP reception and preferred seating
• Acknowledgement on our website and in the dinner program book

PATRON - $3,500
• 1 ticket for VIP reception and preferred seating
• Acknowledgement on our website and in the dinner program book

CONTRIBUTOR - $1,000
• 1 ticket for general reception and dinner

Tickets Individual (Contributor) $1000.00 USD Individual Patron $3,500.00 USD Individual Patron Couple (2 tickets) $6,000.00 USD   Full Name Title or Position Company Email

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Full-page in the dinner program book - $10,000
Half-page in the dinner program book - $6,000

Table Sponsorship and Individual Patron ticket registrations must be confirmed by August 30, 2023 to be acknowledged in the dinner program. Cancellations after September 8, 2023 will not be accepted.

The Korea Society is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For further information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please contact Jamie Joo or by phone at (646) 439-4009.  

SUPPORTERS

2023 Annual Dinner Sponsors
(as of August 21, 2023) 

Chair
Benefactor
Patron
Sponsor
Donor
Dr. Ho Youn Kim Chairman of Binggrae Corporation Ltd. Founder of the Kim Koo Foundation

Additional Supporter

Cynthia & Anthony Kim

In-Kind Donor

Special Acknowledgement

Young H.T. Cho Chairman of Donghwa Cultural Foundation and SWPK Art Gallery President of Anthrop-J Investment Group, LLC

Henry Do President & CEO POSCO America Corp. (POSAM)

Francis Kang Head of Conference at Korea Blockchain Week FactBlock

Athar Khan Director of International Specialty Sales Delta Air Lines

Jae Kim President – Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce Senior Manager, Korea-U.S. Leader – Aprio, LLP

Mark Lippert Senior Advisor, Korea Chair, CSIS Former U.S. Ambassador to ROK

General (Ret) Skip and Joanne Sharp Former Commander of the United Nations Command, ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and U.S Forces Korea

Jeong Joon Yu Vice Chairman and Head of US Government & Corporate Affairs SK Group