Get to Know Us

Introduction

Asia Society Korea Center conducted a series of interviews with Ambassadors of the foreign diplomatic community in Seoul in order to hear their thoughts about Asia Society Korea Center. Learn more about Asia Society Korea Center's work through these interviews.

India

Watch this short interview with H.E. Vishnu Prakash, the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, whose connection with Asia Society began in 1989 in New York. Ambassador Prakash describes Asia Society Korea Center’s distinguishing feature as having a people-centric, 360-degree approach as it connect ideas, cultures, and people. As a supporter of the Korea Center’s diverse programs, Ambassador Prakash also gave a lecture at the Monthly Luncheon Series in March 2013 titled “India’s Ties with South Korea and East Asia: Present and Future.”

Kazakhstan

Watch this short interview with H.E. Dulat Bakishev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Bakishev gives his take on the myriad opportunities for cooperation between Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and South Korea, including cultural ties, education, and business. In June 2012, as part of the Korea Center’s Monthly Luncheon Series, Ambassador Bakishev spoke about the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea. 

Ireland

Watch this short interview with H.E. Eamonn McKee, the Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of Korea. Ambassador McKee describes how Asia Society Korea Center provided the ideal environment to discuss relations between Ireland and South Korea with an engaged audience. He calls Asia Society a “bridgehead” for understanding between Asia and America. In November 2012, Ambassador McKee and the Ambassador or Germany, H.E. Rolf Mafael, gave a lecture as part of the Korea Center’s Monthly Luncheon Series. Read more about the lecture, called "Partition and Unity: Lessons from the Irish and German Models.” 

Russia

Watch this short interview with H.E. Konstantin V. Vnukov, the Ambassador of Russia to the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Vnukov describes why the atmosphere at Korea Center events is so conducive to dialogue. In May 2012, he was the guest speaker at the Asia Society Korea Center’s Monthly Luncheon Series on the subject of security on the Korean peninsula and Russia-South Korea relations. 

Japan

Watch this short interview with H.E. Koro Bessho, the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Korea. In January 2013, Ambassador Bessho gave a lecture about building relationships of trust between South Korea and Japan as part of the Monthly Luncheon Series. It was one of the first public speeches that Ambassador Bessho made in Korea and introduced him to the vibrant community of Asia Society Korea Center.