Dear Friends:
Most Americans, the media and U.S. policymakers lack even the most basic knowledge about Korea and the role that the United States has played on the peninsula for over 60 years. That's why the Korea Policy Institute was created, and that's the vitally important role we play in educating policymakers and the media. We need your help in setting the record straight.
Just earlier this year, the U.S. was "sleepwalking to war" with North Korea. The six-party talks stalemated, the DPRK tested a rocket launch and a second nuclear weapon, the U.S. pushed for, and got, international sanctions, and two American reporters were sitting in jail in Pyongyang.
But there are hopeful signs now — with former President Clinton's trip to the north to secure the release of the reporters, with the quiet bilateral talks going on, and the conciliatory tones of both the South Korean government and the new Japanese administration. The chance for a change in U.S-Korea relations seems possible — but it will take all of our voices to maintain a momentum.
Since 2006, KPI has broadened the range of public discourse on both North and South Korea. As the only think tank that represents progressive, professional research and analysis from the Korean American community, our impact has grown each year, with appearances on CNN with Anderson Cooper, NBC's Today Show, ABC, USA Today, the International Herald Tribune, the New York Times, Public Radio International, Congressional Quarterly, The Nation, and numerous other news outlets. In 2008, we hosted a national policy summit on "Korean Reunification and U.S. Foreign Policy" with the University of California at Berkeley, bringing together some of the country's most prominent experts, scholars and activists into a single room to discuss U.S. policy toward North Korea. And this year we started our own bi-weekly newsletter with our op-eds, policy briefs distributed to key congressional offices, and interviews of important individuals that have shaped U.S-Korea relations.
As you can see, KPI has been busy. But right now we need your help. There is no question that we are growing and becoming more influential, but in order for us to take our next major steps we need to enhance our capacity. KPI functions almost entirely on volunteer labor. Each dollar that you contribute is precious to us. Please join our network of supporters, and make a donation today to further this critical work at this historically important moment.
As KPI is a registered non-profit charitable organization under IRS code 501(c)(3), all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
KPI is creating a forum for progressive voices and analyses on U.S.-Korea policy — to promote peace and justice in Korea and Northeast Asia. As the possibility of real peace on the peninsula approaches, this work gains ever more urgency.
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Thomas Kim, Executive Director and the KPI Board and Fellows
