KOREA FOUNDATION

Lee Geun Inaugurated as 13th President of Korea Foundation

On September 23, newly appointed President of the Korea Foundation (KF) Lee Geun officially took office in an inauguration ceremony at KF Headquarters in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. The former professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of International Studies was appointed to the position by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 16.
   In his inaugural speech, President Lee said, “Through public diplomacy efforts, we need to garner support by promoting features of Korea with which the international community can connect.” He said he would expand diplomatic endeavors that engage the public while maintaining the tripartite management of the Korea Foundation’s operation linking Jeju, Seoul, and Busan. “I will also take the lead in creating a happy workplace environment,” he said.
   He added, “The year 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the KF’s founding and I will strive to make it an important stepping stone in KF history. “
   President Lee graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of International Relations in 1986 and earned an MA and PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He formerly served as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Korean Peninsula and as Dean of the Seoul National University Office of International Affairs and as President of Korea Institute for Future Strategies.
   President Lee will contribute to the KF’s development by making the most of his academic career of more than two decades in the fields of diplomacy and international exchange, bolstered by his work in active research and policy recommendations.

Brief Profile

· PhD in Political Science, University of Wisconsin at Madison
· M.A. in Political Science, University of Wisconsin at Madison
· B.A. in Political Science, Seoul National University
· Professor of International Relations, Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University
· Dean of Office of International Affairs, Seoul National University · President, Korea Institute for Future Strategies
· Professor, Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS)

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