- Conducting humanities lectures and historical explorations in Washington, D.C. (June 26–27) and Los Angeles (LA) (June 29–30)

- Shedding light on the significance of the US–ROK alliance and cultural exchange through experts in literature, history, content, and Korean studies

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) in collaboration with the Korean Library Association (Chairman NAM Young Joon), the Library of Congress, and the Los Angeles Public Library, will be hosting the “Humanities on the Library Path” event in Washington, D.C. (June 26–27) and LA (June 29–30) to commemorate the 70 years of the US–ROK alliance.

The MCST organized this event to shed light on the value of the alliance and exchange between South Korea and the United States, which has expanded into a cultural alliance from a humanities perspective in the wake of President YOON Suk Yeol’s state visit to the United States. The event invites Korean War veterans and their families to participate in the Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress and young students majoring in Korean studies at American universities. The program will feature humanities lectures illuminating the history, present, and future of the US–ROK alliance and cultural exchange, as well as on-site exploration of locations infused with the history of bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

 Shedding light on the relationship between the two countries through humanities lectures with themes such as “Missionaries, Poetry, Korean War, K-Culture, and Film”

In Washington, D.C., a humanities lecture will be held at the Library of Congress for approximately 50 participants, starting at 9:30 a.m. on June 26 (Mon). Professor Stella Xu from the Department of History at Roanoke College will present on “Traces of US–ROK Alliance Seen through the Footprints of Missionaries.” She will reexamine the significance of US–ROK relations by utilizing Korean materials once held by James Scarth Gale, an American missionary and Korean studies researcher. Professor JEONG Jae Chan from the College of Education at Hanyang University, specializing in the Korean language, will reinterpret the flow of history after the Korean War through poems published during the war on the theme of “Guns, Flowers, and Poetry - A History of Peace and Prosperity Read Through Poem.” Experts Owen Rogers and Megan Harris from the VHP at the Library of Congress will present on “Examining the VHP Collection and the History of the Korean War from a Humanities Perspective.” They will use archival materials, including testimonies and interviews of Korean War veterans, to foster empathy among the MZ generation in both countries regarding the Korean War.

In LA, a humanities lecture will be delivered for approximately 100 participants at the Los Angeles Public Library starting at 3:00 p.m. on June 29 (Thur). Dr. LEE Nam Hee, Director of the University of California (UCLA) Center for Korean Studies, will present on “The Development of Korean Studies in the United States and US–ROK Alliance.” She will shed light on the status of K-Culture within the United States and examine the current relationship between South Korea and the United States. Professor LEE Seung Moo from the School of Film, TV & Multimedia at the Korea National University of Arts will discuss “Meeting South Korea and the United States through Film and the Metaverse.” He will share his experiences in coproducing Korean–American films and explore the direction of cultural exchange between the two countries within the emerging realm of the metaverse. Filmmaker Joseph Juhn will delve into “The Power and Narrative of the Korean Diaspora for Strengthening US–ROK Relations.”

 Korean War veterans and the MZ generation from both countries explore historical and cultural sites of the US–ROK alliance

In addition, about 30 participants, including Korean War veterans, their families, and the US–ROK MZ generation, who attended the humanities lectures, will also visit locations that hold historical and cultural significance to the US–ROK alliance.

In Washington, D.C. on June 27 (Tue), participants will visit the Old Korean Legation building, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and other sites. In LA, on June 30 (Fri), they will explore the old site of the Young Korean Academy and the Korean National Association Memorial Hall, fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both countries through their shared history.

JUNG Hyang Mi, Culture Policy Director-General at the MCST, stated, “Building upon the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both countries, which was forged throughout a long history, the US–ROK alliance has expanded into a cultural alliance, driven by the successful visit of President YOON Suk Yeol to the United States. Through this event, where the significance and value of cultural exchange are explored from a humanities perspective, we hope to open new horizons for the US–ROK alliance.”

Attachment

1. Event Poster

2. Plans to hold “Humanities on the Library Path to Commemorate the 70-Year US–ROK Alliance”