KOREAN NET

2023 Next Generation Leadership Forum Held by the Federation of Midwest Korean Association in Chicago!

The Federation of Midwest Korean Association (President: Youngsik Dokko) hosted the 2023 Next Generation Leadership Forum at Hilton Hotel from April 1 to 2 in Northbrook, Chicago. The associations a joint organization from different associations of Korean Americans in 13 midwestern states, including Illinois and Minnesota. The associations continue the legacy of early Korean immigrants’ pioneering spirit and thus promote Korean American’s settlement and improvement of legal, economic, and social status in the U.S. It also supports the development of Korean American communities by engaging in activities needed for the communities to be involved in mainstream society. Moreover, as its basic philosophy, the associations is devoted to preserving traditional and unique culture of Korea, protecting the rights of Koreans residing in the country, and improving the relationship between Korea and the U.S.

Participants of the forum, hosted by the Federation of Midwest Korean Association

The association is also an active supporter of nurturing leaders for the next generation, hoping that the Korean students in the U.S. will become future leaders. The Next Generation Leadership Forum, reflecting such hope, is an event to encourage Korean teenagers of the second and third generation of Korean Americans to have pride and dignity as a Korean. Like any other year, the association held the event this year, and invited the next generation of Korean Americans residing in the Midwest, arranging the event with guest lecturers’ speeches on “Vision for the Future.” This year’s guests were Professor Young-kee Kim, Chair of the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago, Vice President of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and head of the Divisions of Particles and Fields in the American Physics Society, along with Professor Jin Wook Choi at DePaul University, Attorney Itak Seo, and Dr. Hye Jin Yoon. All the guest lecturers, wishing that the next generation grows to be the next leaders of Korean communities, shared their experiences and knowledge and gave precious pieces of advice to the participants.

Young-kee Kim, professor of physics at University of Chicago, receiving a forum poster with the participants’ signatures from the association.

Jin Wook Choi, professor of economics at DePaul University, answering a student’s question on Master Seongcheol during his lecture.

Attorney Itak Seo, former president of the Korean American Association of Chicago, talking about his immigrant life in the U.S. and how he overcame the language barrier and made his dream as a lawyer come true.

B Flat, an adolescent symphony orchestra, and Woori Sori, a teenager samulnori group, both from the Korean American Culture Center of Michigan (KACCM), magnificently opened the forum. A color guard performance, a moment of silence, and singing of both Korean and U.S. national anthems followed the musical performances. The event, moderated by Gyu Chun Hwang, director of Korean American Community of Metro Detroit, and started by the opening prayer and congratulatory address from president Youngsik Dokko. With the congratulations for the forum from associations members and guests and singing from baritone and professor Jin Wook Lee, the event was filled with pleasant atmosphere, which was followed by the guests’ valuable lessons.

Woori Sori members, a teenager samulnori group of KACCM, giving an entertaining and exciting performance.

B Flat, an adolescent symphony orchestra of KACCM, adding festivity to the dinner.

Part two of the forum was a dinner with a performance by B Flat. In the final part of the forum, starting with a high-spirited performance from Woori Sori, Gun Woo Kim (Detroit; 11th grade at the International Academy), Jung Min Kim (Minnesota; senior at the University of Minnesota), and other 10 students received scholarships. Moreover, Gun Woo Kim (Detroit) and Jun Myeong Yoon (Minnesota) shared their gratefulness for becoming a healthy member of the society surrounded by the support from Korean American communities during their presentations. It was a heartwarming moment where the older and the future generation were connected and harmonized.

Jisoo Lee (Dayton; 9th grade at Centerville High) receiving an academic scholarship and a scholarship certificate from the hosting organization.

Gun Woo Kim (Detroit, 11th grade at the International Academy) giving a presentation on the theme of “being grateful.”

Jun Myeong Yoon (Minnesota; senior at the University of Minnesota), former president of the Korean American Hip Hop Club and Korean International Student Organization (KISO) at the University of Minnesota, decides to live a life of giving back the benefits he has received from the Korean American communities during his presentation.

The event lasted for five hours and ended by the students’ receiving certificate for participating the forum. President Dokko completed the forum by reminding the meaning of the event. He advised the students to accomplish great things for our communities and history as an active social member serving the society in their 30s twenty years later. The participants returned to their rooms, looking forward to the mentorship program starting in the morning of the following day. Witnessing the old and the future generation of Korean Americans gathered in one place sharing and doing what they could do for the communities must have given a meaningful lesson for the students. We hope that the Korean American teenagers, becoming a better person by support and financial aid, will be part of the positive ripples in our society and continue the cycle of sharing goodness by supporting the next generation of their own as leaders of society in the future.

Participants of the forum receiving their certificates.