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