The American Korean Friendship Society, Inc. (AKFS) is a national 501c(3) non-profit (81-1408283) civic organization founded in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Society is to celebrate and strengthen the unique relationship between the peoples of the Republic of Korea and the United States of America.
The relationship between the United States and Republic of Korea is a model for strengthening US. foreign policy. The United States supported South Korea in repelling an invasion from a military takeover by North Korea. Then Republic of Korea now stands proudly as a top-ten world economy and remains one of the United States’ closest allies.
FOUNDERS
The following founding members were and are concerned citizens of both nations who value and have sought to promote the extraordinary relationship between the peoples of these two countries: founding committee chair,
Marine Corps General Raymond G. Davis (Ret.),
Medal of Honor recipient; Dr. James Laney, US Ambassador to Korea;
Dr. Sang-Chul Kim, former Mayor of the City of Seoul;
Dr. William Chace, President, Emory University;
The late U.S. Army General William Livsey (Ret.);
Dr. Wan-Kyu Cho, former President, Seoul National University;
Mr. Sunny K. Park, CEO, GBM.
CHAIRPERSONS EMERITUS
AKFS Founding Chair (1996-2000) Dr. William Chace, President of Emory University (1994-2003);
2 nd AKFS Chairman (2004-2009) Dr. Wayne Clough, President, Georgia Tech (1994-2008);
3 rd AKFS Chairwoman (2004-2009) Dr. Betty Siegel, President, Kennesaw StateUniversity (1981-2006);
4 th AKFS Chairman (2009-2016) Retired General Larry Ellis, Chairman, ESSE.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF
Mr. Frank Blake, Chair, former CEO, Home Depot, Chair of Delta Air Lines
Retired General Burwell B. Bell, former Commander, US Forces Korea
Mr. Don Chapman, Chair, ChapCo
Judge Miles Davis, Judge, US Magistrate Court NW Florida
General Larry Ellis, Retired, former Commander, US Army Forces Command, Immediate Past Chair
Mr. Jay Eun, Chair, Golden Stella
Mr. Robert Hall, Vice Chair Rotary International End Polio Now Committee
Mr. Paul T. Kim, VP/Secretary, Sr. Lawyer, Security Exchange Commission
Ambassador James Laney, former US Ambassador to Republic of Korea
Mr. Bartow Morgan, Chair & CEO, Georgia Banking Company
Hon. Sam Olens, Dentons, former Georgia State Attorney General
Mr. BJay Pak, Alston & Bird, former US Attorney, Northern District Georgia
Dr. Stanley Shin, Cardiologist, Statesboro Cardiologists
Honorable Sang-Pyo Suh, Consul General, Republic of Korea, Atlanta (ex-officio)
Dr. Roger Tuttero, Professor Economist, Kennesaw State University
Mr. Sunny K. Park, President. Chair, Global Sun Investments, Inc.
