News and Updates -- December 2025

Have you heard? H.R. 5221 - Peace Corps Volunteers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

Introduced by Betty McCullum (D-MN) and co-sponsored by John Rutherford (R-FL) on September 19th, HR 5221 calls for awarding the "Congressional Gold Medal to the Peace Corps Volunteers, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments, continuous dedication to world peace and friendship, and their honorable service to the Nation for 65 years."

The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest civilian award. Specifically, the medal would recognize the service of every Volunteer who served between the program’s start in 1961 and the end of 2026. This act serves as Congress’s official recognition that the nearly 250,000 people who committed years to serving abroad in health, education, and development roles deserve a massive, public thank you for promoting U.S. values and understanding in over 140 countries.

As the United States prepares for its semiquincentennial, 2026 will also mark the 65^thanniversary of the Peace Corps. As many of the early volunteers are aging, this is the perfect moment to recognize their service.

To read the full text of the bill, click here. To learn more about contacting your Congressional representatives and next steps in the legislative process, click here.

Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared

Collecting is a timeless passion—an enduring way to preserve memories, express one’s taste, and safeguard traditions for generations to come. Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared honors this practice by presenting a remarkable selection of masterpieces generously donated to the Korean nation by the family of Lee Kun-Hee, the late chairman of Samsung Group. Spanning ancient times to the present, the 200 works featured in this exhibition embody the depth and diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy.

The exhibit will be at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC through February 1, 2026. It will then move to Chicago and London.

If you missed the Korea Society's talk with the curators of this exhibit, you can stream it here.

The Peace Corps Park begins to take shape

[an excerpt from November Park newsletter] There is a time in every major, long-term project when things become “real” and move from idea to execution. I’m pleased to share with you that Peace Corps Park took that step this week, for me at least, when I came down to Atlanta with members of our design and fabrication team to select, in person, the Silver Cloud granite that will be shaped into the Park’s three benches.

We now own the granite that will be quarried for us early next year, and soon we will start to see the Park take shape.....We have touched the actual granite that will become benches inscribed with some of the most meaningful quotes that represent our shared values of global peace and partnership in Washington, D.C. 

Glenn Blumhorst, Chief Advancement Officer

Peace Corps Park, located in Washington DC

Photo of the three blocks that will be part of the Peace Corps Park.

To learn more about the Park and how you can get involved, click on the button below.

IRAs and DAFs.....

As 2025 draws to a close, we want to make sure you know that Friends of Korea is able to accept gifts from your IRA and your donor-advised fund (DAF)....to learn more about both of these giving vehicles, click here. And, of course, we welcome gifts via our secure website and in the mail (see address below).

Have you ordered your copy?

Looking for a perfect gift? This might be what you are looking for!

Paths of Grass and Stone - A Journey 

Through the Korean Countryside

Click here to learn more and to order.