Enabling Legislation

The Korea Foundation Act (No. 4414), promulgated on December 14, 1991

Mission

The mission of The Korea Foundation is to promote better understanding of Korea within the international community and to increase friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world through various exchange programs. (Article 1, Korea Foundation Act)

Main Activities

• Organizes, supports and participates in various events aimed at fostering international exchange.
• Dispatches and invites specialists committed to international exchange.
• Supports overseas research on Korea and distributes the results of such research.
• Engages in various activities aimed at promoting knowledge and understanding of Korea within the international community.
• Increases friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world via exchange and cooperation with major overseas international exchange organizations.
• Supports activities by overseas Korean organizations to improve the status of Korea in the international community and to promote national solidarity.
• Organizes and engages in various programs required to achieve the mission and goals of the Foundation (Article 6, Korea Foundation Act).

Board of Directors

• The Foundation’s Board of Directors (BOD) is its top decision-making body, and it is responsible for making decisions on important affairs related to the operation of the Foundation and its main activities. It is composed of a maximum of nine members including the Foundation's president and the permanent and non-permanent directors. 
• The current BOD of the Foundation comprises nine members, namely, the Foundation's president, two executive vice-presidents (each in charge of planning and projects respectively), and six non-permanent directors.

Advisory Committee

The Foundation operates an advisory committee consisting of Korean and overseas specialists who provide specialized advice and opinions.

Brief History

Date	Key Events
May. 2013	Dr. Hyun-seok Yu inaugurated as the 11th president of the Foundation.
Mar. 2012	Dr. Kim, Woosang inaugurated as the 10th president of the Foundation.
June. 2010	Dr. Kim Byung-kook inaugurated as the 9th president of the Foundation
Feb. 2010	Opened the LA office
June 2009	Launched youth exchange programs with and the U.S.A
May 2009	Commenced the Korean Food Globalization project
May 2009	Launched the International Music Festival (SIMF)
Dec. 2008	Initiated the publication of the Korea Foundation Translation Series on public diplomacy
Nov. 2008	Launched the international conference on “National Brands”
Jan. 2008	Launched the project for the invitation of the former Peace Corps volunteers
Jan. 2008	Launched the Korea Foundation Forum and the Global Korea Speakers Forum programs
Feb. 2007	Yim Sung-joon inaugurated as the 8th president of the Foundation
Jan. 2005	Opened overseas offices in , and Ho Chi Minh City
Sept. 2005	Opened the Foundation Cultural Center in Seoul
Aug. 2005	Opened the office
May 2005	Opened the office
Jan. 2004	Kwon In-hyuk inaugurated as the 7th president of the Foundation
Sept. 2002	Commenced a program to support the development of instructional materials
Dec. 2001	Hosted an international conference, “The Encounter between and the World,” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Foundation
June 2001	Commenced Korean classical music workshop programs for overseas musicologists
Sept. 2000	Launched the Korea-Japan teacher exchange program
Feb. 2000	Lee In-ho inaugurated as the 6th president of the Foundation
Sept. 1999	Launched workshops for Korean art curators in overseas museums
Feb. 1999	Launched a publication subsidy program
Nov. 1998	Completed a book (5-volume set) on the Korean cultural heritage in overseas collections
Jan. 1998	Completed a set of seven VHS tapes titled Timeless Journey
May 1998	Launched the Foundation’s website (www.kf.or.kr)
Apr. 1998	Lee Joung-binn inaugurated as the 5th president of the Foundation
Dec. 1997	Completed the publication of the 4-volume book Korean Cultural Heritage
Jan. 1996	Completed the publication of Images of Korea, a set of three VHS tapes
Apr. 1996	Kim Jung-won inaugurated as the 4th president of the Foundation
July 1995	Commenced training programs for overseas Korean language teachers
Dec. 1994	Held the Korean Studies Promotion Workshop; Choi Chang-yoon inaugurated as the 3rd president of the Foundation
Sept. 1994	Launched the Next-Generation Leaders Forum project
Apr. 1994	Commenced the program to support overseas libraries related to Korean Studies; launched a scholarship program for graduate students majoring in Korean Studies
Dec. 1993	Started the Forum programs
Aug.-Dec. 1993	Organized an international folk festival at the 1993 Daejeon Expo
July 1993	Launched programs to support Korean Studies, e.g. the establishment of Korean Studies professorships
May 1993	Commenced programs to support overseas public policy-oriented research institutes and partners
Feb. 1993	Published the first issue of Korea Focus
Jan. 1992	Inaugurated Son Chu-whan as the 2nd president of the foundation; opened classes on Korean culture
July 1992	Held the Korean Studies Workshop
June 1992	Launched a program to support overseas tours of Korean arts
May 1992	Launched a project to support the installation of a Korean gallery in overseas museums
Apr. 1992	Commenced a fellowship program
Mar. 1992	Published the first issue of Koreana
Feb. 1992	Commenced a program to invite distinguished persons from overseas
Jan. 1992	Published the first issue of the Korea Foundation Newsletter; started a support program for Korean studies materials
Dec. 1991	Established the Korea Foundation; inaugurated the first president, Yu Hyeok-in