Hankuk University
of Foreign Studies
Federation of Alumni Associations
of the Americas
March 26, 2012
The Honorable Barack H. Obama President
of the United States of America
The White House Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of over 10,000 alumni of the
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
(HUFS) living in the United States as
well as those who live in the rest of
the Americas, and as grateful and proud
Korean-Americans, it is with a tremendous
sense of honor, joy and happiness that
we welcome you to the campus of our alma
mater.
With its unique founding spirit, educational
philosophy and special emphasis in foreign
languages and international studies,
HUFS has produced a large number of leaders
in business worldwide, government services,
diplomacy and communications. Your historical
visit is one that we, the graduates,
as well as the students and their families
will remember for a very long time. Your
every word and gesture will be ingrained
in all of the students at HUFS and will
leave an indelible mark.
We appreciate your kind and encouraging
comments and views on education in Korea.
It is without hesitation that we can
say that many of our successful leaders
have reaped the benefit of training they
received through the American higher
education system. The relationship between
Korea and the United States has been
an essential element in the continuing
development and progress of the “economic
miracle” in Korea.
As Korean-Americans, we welcome and admire
your decision to send Ambassador Sung
Y. Kim to Korea as your representative
and your recent decision to nominate
Dr. Jim Yong Kim to head the World Bank.
Your choices reflect your recognition
of the achievements and contributions
made not only by these individuals but
also by the Korean-American community
in the United States. These milestones
provide hope and encouragement to current
and future generations of not only the
Korean-Americans but of all immigrants
in the United States.
We thank you for your visit and believe
that your words will change the lives
and futures of many students here at
HUFS. We wish you much success in your
unceasing efforts toward world peace.
Sincerely,
Young Hee Lim, President
Matthew Duksun Lee, Chairman of the Board
of Directors |