(SEOUL, September 9, 2026) — From September 13 to 19, 2026, the Korea Foundation (KF), led by President Guido Song, will invite approximately 30 former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers and their family members to Korea, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps’ arrival in Korea and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Established by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps is an American government agency that sends volunteers abroad to support development and promote mutual understanding and friendship. More than 2,000 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Korea from 1966 to 1981 in fields including education, public health, agriculture, and community development, contributing to Korea’s postwar reconstruction and development.

Since 2008, the KF has organized return visits to Korea for former Peace Corps Volunteers in recognition of their service and to help sustain their ties with the country. To date, the program has brought approximately 800 former Volunteers and their family members back to Korea, providing them with opportunities to revisit the communities they once served and experience firsthand how Korea has changed.

This year’s delegation of visitors includes members of the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers dispatched to Korea in 1966, as well as former Volunteers who have maintained longstanding ties with the country. During their stay, participants will take part in seminars and cultural programs that offer opportunities to reflect on the Peace Corps’ work in Korea and experience the country’s transformation over the past six decades.

The seminar program will feature presentations by Michael Robinson on “Korea’s Social, Economic, and Political Transformation, 1966–2026;” Gerard Krzic (president, Friends of Korea) on “Evolution of the Peace Corps over Its 15 Years in Korea and Its Impact on World Friends Korea;” Bruce Fulton on “Korea’s Transformation in Literature, 1966–2026;” and Gloria Mamokhin on “Evolution of Speech Pathology in Korea since 1966.”

Participants will visit the National Museum of Korea and Leeum Museum of Art, tour Changdeokgung Palace, and attend an evening viewing at Gyeongbokgung Palace, enjoying experiences of Korea’s history and culture. On September 16, the delegation will additionally attend a luncheon hosted by the Korea–U.S. Parliamentarians’ Union, where they will meet with Korean representatives including Nam In-soon, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, union co-chair Cho Kyoung-tae, and union secretaries Kim Young-bae and Cho Jung-hun.

As part of this year’s visit, the KF will also present the Korea Foundation Award to Friends of Korea (FoK) in recognition of the dedication of former Peace Corps Volunteers and their continued contributions to friendship between Korea and the United States. Founded in 2002 by former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Korea, FoK has continued to nurture their ties with Korea through programs on Korean culture and Korea–U.S. relations, as well as archival initiatives preserving materials from the Peace Corps’ years in the country.

Established in 2008, the Korea Foundation Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to promoting Korea internationally and advancing mutual understanding. This year marks the 10th presentation of the award.

The award ceremony will take place at THE PLAZA Seoul on September 16, exactly 60 years after the first Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Korea. Approximately 60 guests are expected to attend, including FoK members and their families, individuals in Korea with whom they have maintained ties, representatives of related organizations, and KF officials.

“We are presenting the Korea Foundation Award to Friends of Korea to express our appreciation for the dedication of Peace Corps Volunteers who began serving in Korea 60 years ago, and for their continued efforts to strengthen friendship between Korea and the United States,” said KF President Song. “We hope this return visit will further deepen the longstanding bonds between the Volunteers and Korea, and provide another opportunity for the people of our two countries to grow closer and better understand one another.”

About the Korea Foundation
The Korea Foundation (KF), established in 1991, is Korea’s designated public diplomacy organization under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through a wide range of exchange programs supporting the promotion of Korean studies worldwide, international networking, and cultural exchange, the KF works to enhance understanding of Korea and foster friendship with people around the world.

Attachments: Program Overview (1), Korea Foundation Award Overview (1), and Photos (2)
Please use the corresponding caption when publishing the photos.
[Attachment 3] [Photo 1 Caption] U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers during their service in Korea
[Attachment 4] [Photo 2 Caption] Album cover created by U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers to help reduce negative perceptions of tuberculosis control efforts in Korea and promote a more positive public attitude toward them