Dr. Chang Soo Choe, a professor in the department of Local Government Studies at Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, traveled to Arizona State University to conduct research through the 2010 Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence program. From there on, as a Fulbright alumnus Dr. Choe has contributed to the Fulbright Alumni Association in various roles including director of planning, vice president, acting president among others.
Korea Fulbright Alumni Association
The Korea Fulbright Alumni Association (KFAA) represents the approximately 4,000 Korean alumni of the Fulbright Program who have undertaken grants during KAEC’s nearly 70-year history. Serving as leaders in their respective fields, alumni holding positions in politics, business, academia, culture, the arts, etc. have raised the prestige of the Fulbright Program through the work they have accomplished both independently and as members of the KFAA. Membership in the KFAA is open to all Fulbright participants who have successfully completed their grant programs and returned to Korea.
As part of the global network created through Fulbright, the KFAA promotes and shapes discourse regarding current social issues through symposiums and other alumni events, as well as diligent participation in social campaigns and fundraising and public diplomacy initiatives between Korea and the U.S. In addition, the KFAA actively supports the operations and mission of the Korean-American Educational Commission (KAEC) as the Fulbright Commission in Korea.
The shared experience of participating in international exchange through the Fulbright Program, renowned worldwide for its role in building mutual understanding, enriching educations, advancing careers, and making meaningful contributions, gives alumni both pride and a sense of responsibility. Fulbright Korea alumni and members of the FKAA feel it is their duty to utilize their respective positions for the prosperity of Korea, the U.S., and the broader global community.
History of the KFAA
- May 1987: The Korea Fulbright Alumni Association (KFAA) is founded.
- June 1987: KFAA launches the Fulbright Alumni Fellowship.
- July 1987: KFAA selects the first Fulbright Alumni Fellow.
- May 1988: The first KFAA newsletter is published.
- May 1988: KFAA celebrates its first anniversary with an event at the Shilla Hotel.
- September 1989: KFAA celebrates its second anniversary with an event at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- September 1989: A committee of KFAA members is created to plan the establishment of the Korea Fulbright Foundation (KFF).
- September 1990: A celebration is held for the 40th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Korea. Senator and Mrs. Fulbright are in attendance.
- January 1991: The Korea Fulbright Foundation (KFF) is officially established.
- September 1994: During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program, KFAA and KFF select American scholars to receive research awards for the advancement of academic understanding between Korea and the United States.
- January 1996: KFAA establishes the English Language and Culture Program (LCP) for children of Fulbright alumni.
- November 1996: KFAA presents the book Korea’s Amazing Century: From Kings to Satellites to Harriet Mayor Fulbright, wife of the late Senator Fulbright, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program. The book, written by recipients of KFAA research awards, is presented to Mrs. Fulbright at a celebration held in the Korea Press Center.
- May 1999: 206 Korean Fulbright alumni raise approximately 250 million Korean won for the purchase of the Fulbright Building, making the Fulbright Commission in Korea the only commission to own its own building.
- October 2000: KAEC, KFAA, and KFF organize a celebration at the Radisson Seoul Plaza Hotel in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Korea.
- October 2005: KFAA donates $14,000 to assist Thailand in recovering from the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Funds are donated through the Fulbright Foundation in the U.S. to support the construction of temporary libraries for schools in affected areas.
- October 2005: KFAA donates approximately $38,000, and KFF $10,000, to the U.S. through the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to provide support to communities recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
- October 2006: In honor of the 60th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Senator Fulbright, KFAA commissions a bust of Senator Fulbright and donates it to KAEC for display in the Fulbright Building.
- October 2010: KFF celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Korea through the sponsorship of a symposium.
- July 2010: To mark the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Korea, a traveling art exhibition featuring the work of U.S. and Korean Fulbright alumni is hosted in Seoul, New York, and Washington, D.C.
- October 2010: KAEC, KFAA, and KFF sponsor the publication of a commemorative history book entitled Fulbright in Korea’s Future, as well as the publication of a memoir featuring Korean Fulbright alumni entitled Dreaming of Peace, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Korea.
KFAA President
Former KFAA Presidents
- 1987: Doo Hyun Kim (김두현), former Chairman of the Korean Bar Association and former representative lawyer of the Korea Joint Law Office
- 1989: Sang Joon Hahn (한상준), President of Hanyang University and President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology
- 1991: Yong Kwon Kim (김용권), Professor Emeritus of English literature at Sogang University.
- 1994: Jung Hyun Ro (노정현), Director of the Korea Institute of Public Administration
- 1996: Byong Man Ahn (안병만), Minister of Education, Science and Technology, President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Chairman of the Korea Fulbright Foundation
- 1998: Kee Soon Kim (김기순), Professor Emeritus in the College of Physiology at Hanyang University
- 2000: Bokcha Yoon (윤복자), Professor Emeritus in the College of Life Sciences at Yonsei University
- 2002: Sang Hyun Song (송상현), Chairman of the Korean Committee of UNICEF and Director of the International Criminal Court
- 2004: Seong Hak Kang (강성학), Professor Emeritus of political science at Korea University
- 2006: Young Choi (최영), Professor Emeritus of English and English literature at Ewha Womans University
- 2008: Moon Hwan Kim (김문환), President of Kookmin University
- 2010: Oryang Kwon (권오량), Professor Emeritus of English education at Seoul National University College of Education.
- 2012: In Chul Kim (김인철), President of the Korean Council for University Education and President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.\
- 2016: Dong Yeon Kim (김동연), Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Opportunity and Finance, and President of Ajou University
- 2017: Chang Soo Choe (최창수), Professor in the Department of Local Government Studies at Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
- 2018: Seong Ho Lim (임성호), Professor of political science in the Department of Social Sciences at Kyung Hee University and Director of the National Assembly Research Service
- 2022: Chang Soo Choe (최창수), Professor in the Department of Local Government Studies at Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
KFAA Leadership
| Name | Title | Affiliation | Field | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 임성호 | Lim, Seong Ho | President | Kyung Hee University | Political Science | Standing |
| 김종복 | Kim, Jong Bok | Senior Vice President | Kyung Hee University | Linguistics | Standing |
| 이병규 | Lee, Byoung Kyu | Vice President of Foreign Cooperation | Myongji University | Law | Standing |
| 김도훈 | Kim, Do-Hoon | Vice President of General Affairs | Kyung Hee University | Management Science | Standing |
| 강제상 | Kang, Je-Sang | Vice President | Kyung Hee University | Public Administration | |
| 강희 | Kang, Hee | Daegu University | American Literature | ||
| 권기헌 | Kwon, Gi-Heon | Sungkyunkwan University | Public Policy | ||
| 박재완 | Park, Jaewan | Hanyang University | Law | ||
| 박진임 | Park, Jinim | Pyeongtaek University | Comparative Literature | ||
| 배형민 | Pai, Hyungmin | University of Seoul | Architecture & Urban Studies | ||
| 염명배 | Yeom, Myung Bae | Chungnam National University | Economics | ||
| 임석준 | Lim, Suk Jun | Dong-A University | Political Science | ||
| 최창수 | Choe, Chang Soo | Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies |
Public Administration | ||
| 홍기선 | Hong, Ki Sun | Seoul National University | Pragmatics | ||
| 강석률 | Kang, Seok-Ryul | Director | Korea Institute for Defense Analyses |
Political Science | |
| 김민정 | Kim, Min-Jung | Ewha Woman’s University | American Literature | ||
| 김효선 | Kim, Hyosun | Chung-Ang University | Psychology | Standing | |
| 남궁영 | Namkung, Young | Kyung Hee University | Tourism Management | ||
| 박원호 | Park, Won-ho | Seoul National University | Political Science | Standing | |
| 서정건 | Seo, Jungkun | Kyung Hee University | Political Science | Standing | |
| 이선구 | Lee, Sun Goo | Yonsei University | Health Law | Standing | |
| 최아진 | Choi, Ajin | Yonsei University | Political Science | Standing | |
| 하준수 | Ha, Joon Soo | Kookmin University | Arts | ||
| 손병권 | Sohn, Byoung Kwon | Auditor | Chung-Ang University | Political Science | |
| 엄지용 | Eom, Ji Yong | KAIST | Management Science | ||