Country to Country/People to People

[성김 대사]

My second weekend in Seoul was much different than my first.  While the first weekend I was getting settled in with my family and friends, weekend number two was filled with work.  Two of my main goals while I am in Korea will be to strengthen and deepen the Korea – U.S. alliance, while at the same time increasing people-to-people ties between our nations.  This weekend I had opportunities to work on both.

 
Giving congratulatory remarks at the Korean-American Friendship Night 2011

Friday night was the alliance side as I was invited to give remarks to the 400 Koreans and Americans who attended the 9th annual Korean American Friendship Night.  It was really a wonderful occasion to honor our security partnership and thank those who have contributed to strengthening the partnership.  I had a relatively easy task of giving brief congratulatory remarks but others gave inspiring speeches on the enduring importance of our alliance.  It wasn’t all serious; there was also great entertainment.  I especially enjoyed Professor Lee Sang-jae’s beautiful performance.

It was so nice to see so many old friends there.  I sat between Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and Deputy CFC Commander General Kwon Oh-sung.  This was a great opportunity to discuss informally how we can work together to strengthen the special military partnership.  We were all thrilled to see former USFK Commander General Sharp receive the Korean-American Friendship Award in recognition of his outstanding service. 

When I first went to one of these functions as a junior diplomat 20 years ago, I was just glad to be there even though I sat all the way in the back.  About ten years later when I attended again, I moved up to somewhere in the middle.  This time I sat in the front, which just goes to show that if I can make it to the front of the room, anyone can.

 
I had called on Defense Minister Kim earlier in the day, but I appreciated this opportunity to follow up informally. 

As we talked and laughed through the evening I realized that even the closest of friends can have disagreements from time to time.  But Korea and the U.S. can confidently discuss and resolve any disagreements that may occur, knowing that our friendship, which has been built on common values and interests, will endure- any challenge.

Saturday I switched gears a little as I was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner with our Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs).  ETAs are U.S. college students who home-stay in small towns throughout Korea teaching English to Korean students of all ages.  The ETAs I met certainly seemed to be enjoying their jobs and embracing Korean culture – I won’t soon forget my introduction to K-pop dance moves, courtesy of a group of American teachers!

I want to thank our gracious hosts, Korea Folk Museum Director, Dr. Cheon Jin-gi and his staff, for inviting us into their beautiful space.  To Americans Thanksgiving is as important as Chusok is to Koreans.  It is the one day a year that families and friends can gather together and enjoy a wonderful meal and reflect on the blessings in their lives.  We are proud every year to bring the ETAs together, and for one night at least, fill in as their family and share a traditional thanksgiving turkey meal. 

 
(from left) With Korea America Education Commission Director Shim Jai-ok and Korea Folk Museum Director Cheon Jin-gi at Korea Folk Museum

As I looked around the room at all those wonderful young ETAs, I thought about what President Obama said: “Service binds us to each other — and to our communities and our country — in a way that nothing else can.”  This dinner was a way to thank the ETAs for that service.  I hope that as you read this blog, you also will think about ways to serve those in your community. 

I want to finish by thanking my readers for all the great comments and questions you have been sending me about the blog.  I will do my best to share my thoughts with you each week.  Please keep reading and tell me what you think.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

[온나무]

Reading this blog, I think I should think some and more ways to SERVE people in my community. Thank you for this encouragement you gave me about "service".