(SEOUL, September 15, 2026) — On September 16, the Korea Foundation (KF), led by President Guido Song, will host the 10th Korea Foundation Award ceremony at THE PLAZA Seoul, marking the 250th anniversary of the Founding of the United States and the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps’ arrival in Korea. The award will be presented to Friends of Korea (FoK), an organization founded by former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Korea, in recognition of its contributions to promoting understanding of Korea in the United States.

September 16 marks exactly 60 years since the first U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Korea in 1966. The KF will honor FoK for sustaining connections forged through volunteer service and fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Korea and the United States long after its members returned home.

The ceremony will feature opening remarks by KF President Guido Song, followed by congratulatory remarks via video from Song Seogjun, chairperson of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and Michelle Steel, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Yoon Young-kwan, chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, will deliver congratulatory remarks in person. FoK President Gerard Krzic and Board Member Jenna Gibson will attend the ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the organization.

The ceremony will take place during the KF’s revisit program for former Peace Corps Volunteers, which will be held this year from September 13 to 19. During their stay, volunteers and their families will explore Korea’s transformation and reconnect with people they knew during their service.

The significance of volunteers’ service and the revisit program has also been recognized in the U.S. Congress. U.S. Representative Young Kim entered a tribute into the Congressional Record on August 20, recognizing the Peace Corps’ contributions to Korea’s development and Korea–U.S. friendship, as well as the significance of the KF’s revisit program.

Established in 2008, the Korea Foundation Award honors individuals and organizations in Korea and abroad that have contributed to raising international awareness of Korea and advancing mutual understanding between Korea and the world. This year marks the award’s 10th presentation.

Attachment: 2 Photos
Photo 1 Caption: Former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers revisit Korea, September 14, 2026.
Photo 2 Caption: Friends of Korea President Gerard Krzic delivers a presentation on September 14, 2026.