Mailbox of peace

A Message from the KF President Mai lbox of Peace 005 A Message from the KF President Thanks to U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers The Korea Foundation is an institution that promotes Korea to the world and performs and supports public diplomacy in order to deepen mutually friendly international civil networks . Since its creation in 1991 , the KF has engaged in various exchange projects including the global promotion of Korean studies , networking for international cooperation , cultural exchanges , etc . Today , it has established itself as a specialized public diplomacy institution representing Korea . Since 2008 , the KF has run a ‘ US Peace Corps Revisit Program ’, a project designed to express our gratitude towards the US Peace Corps Volunteers who helped Korea when it struggled in its past , providing English lessons , public health support , etc . Under the program , we invite former volunteers back to Korea in order to revisit the places where they once served or reconnect with the people to whom they taught English . In 2020 , the COVID - 19 pandemic unfortunately made this difficult to pursue for the year , and so we decided to send out “ COVID - 19 KF Survival Boxes ” instead , delivering greetings and our thanks to the US Peace Corps Volunteers undergoing the common COVID crisis . The Volunteers were moved by our small but sincere gesture , and this emotion reverberated back to Korea across generations . We received some 150 emails and letters of thanks , filled with the memories of individuals who served in Korea between 1966 and 1981 , as well as their stories related to Korea from after their time in the US Peace Corps . These stories have coalesced to create a bridge of friendship between Korea and the US . The ROK - US relationship endures and grows stronger not only through the ties between our governments , but through the sincerity of our citizens . In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the KF and commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the end of the US Peace Corps ’ s service in Korea , we are very pleased to publish Mailbox of Peace , a collection of 150 of the emails and letters sent to us by Peace Corps Volunteers as a product of the friendship between Korea and the US . As Korea ’ s specialized public diplomacy institution , the KF will continue to strive toward building such friendships , communicating with the world through sustainable and future - oriented public diplomacy activities that connect the hearts of people across generations . Korea Foundation President Lee Geun