U.S.-Korea Relations: Celebrating 125 Years of Friendship
May 21, 2007, Kenney Auditorium
As part of the Washington Korea Festival 2007, the U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS, in cooperation with Korus House and the Sejong Society of DC, hosted a celebration of 125 years of U.S.–Korea friendship on May 21. Festivities included a discussion on history, democracy, music and a display of the talents of the sapsaree dogs, a breed unique to Korea.
Don Oberdorfer, Chairman of U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS and the Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States Tae–sik Lee provided opening remarks noting the importance of this celebration.
Please click here to download or listen to the opening remarks.
Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy gave the keynote address praising the strength of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea's transition from a military dictatorship to a democracy and suggested Korea take a leading role in promoting democracy around the world.
Please click here to download or listen to the keynote address.
Professor John Endicott of Georgia Institute of Technology drew on 31 years of experience in the government and extensive study as he discussed the history U.S.-Korea Relations. In his overview, Professor Endicott provided great insight into the relationship as it developed over the past 125 years.
Please click here to download or listen to the discussion on US-Korea history.
Master Gayageum musician Yang Seung–hee performed on the 12-stringed wooden instrument. Professor Yang was designated by the Korean government as bearer of a unique gayageum playing technique, which was designated as an important intangible cultural asset. Professor Yang´s mastery of the gayageum has earned her international recognition through extensive international tours, during which she widely promoted gayageum´s musical originality to the world.
Although the gayageum has been played for 2,000 years in Korea, Professor Yang plays a specific type of gayageum called the gayagum san–jo, which was developed in the late 19th century by Kim Chang–jo. After the development of gayagum san–jo, gayageum gained greater popularity among the Korean people, and schools for gayageum san–jo became widespread. The school with the most well–preserved traditions was run by Kim Jook–pa, the grand–daughter of Kim Chang–jo. Professor Yang's gayageum san–jo follows the traditions of Kim Jook–pa, which is different from other traditions in that it has two additional sections than the traditional five, bringing the total to seven.
Please click here to download or listen to Professor Yang´s performance.
In celebration Buom Hong, Lee Donghwan and Kim Jaeseop sang six songs of friendship, both western opera arias and Korean folk songs.
Sapsaree dogs, a unique breed to Korea, performed tricks in honor of the 125–years of friendship.
Professor Ha Ji Hong, founder and president of the Korean Sapsaree Association and professor at Kyongbuk University, presented local resident Steve Choi with two sapsaree puppies for his work with Comfort Women.
RELATED EVENTS
Inauguration of the U.S.-Korea Institute (video available)