Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea Celebrates 60 Years

Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea, under the leadership of Chairperson Jin Roy Ryu, marked its 60th anniversary in 2025 with the theme “Reflecting on a Legacy of Sharing and Envisioning a Future of Solidarity.” The Foundation shared its six-decade journey with its supporters, the community, and its constituents through various commemorative events.

Founded in 1965 by Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck, the Foundation began by supporting Amerasian children in Korea. Today, it provides comprehensive social welfare services—including health, education, livelihood, and psycho-social support—for children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Pearl S. Buck in WALK – A Walking Festival with the Community

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, approximately 600 people participated in Pearl S. Buck in WALK around Bucheon Sangdong Lake Park to help them experience and reflect on the meaning of “difference” in daily life for a more dynamic multicultural society.

Capturing Time: Faces of 60 Years – A Photographic Journey

This photo exhibition ran from Oct. 29- Nov. 5, 2025 and highlighted the works of photographers Baek Nam-sik, Lee Jae-gap, and Jeong Jae-yoon. It showcased the Foundation’s early days and portraits of Amerasians and children from diverse backgrounds as part of the Foundation’s 60-year history. Special exhibits included the late boxer Jeong Wang-gi (who organized racial harmony matches) and former NFL star Hines Ward during his 2025 visit to Korea.

60th Anniversary Insooni Charity Concert – A Night of Gratitude & Sponsorship

Held on Dec. 22, 2025, the Insooni Charity Concert (doubling as the 2025 Donors’ Night) celebrated sharing and solidarity through music. Singer Insooni, who rose from being a sponsored child of the Foundation to a top-tier artist and who now serves as a Board Member of the Foundation and Chairperson of Hae-mil School for multicultural children, performed for an audience of 300 guests, including corporate partners, donors and multicultural family members. Proceeds from the concert will be dedicated to the Foundation’s future youth support projects.

Pearl S. Buck International Academic Symposium – Expanding Social Solidarity into Academic Research on Pearl S. Buck

The Foundation co-hosted the Pearl S. Buck International Academic Symposium (organized and hosted by the Pearl S. Buck Memorial Museum in Bucheon City). Nine researchers presented and discussed the academic significance of Pearl S. Buck’s literature and philosophy regarding multiculturalism, human rights, and social The Foundation co-hosted the Pearl S. Buck International Academic Symposium (organized and hosted by the Pearl S. Buck Memorial Museum in Bucheon City). Nine researchers presented and discussed the academic significance of Pearl S. Buck’s literature and philosophy regarding multiculturalism, human rights, and social integration. The symposium featured key figures from the global Pearl S. Buck network, including Pearl S. Buck International and Pearl S. Buck Foundation Philippines.

Throughout the year, the Foundation implemented various support programs, including meal kits, snack sets for Children’s Day, and essential food items to vulnerable children via local centers in Bucheon. In collaboration with Bucheon City, the Foundation donated bedding sets and electric blankets to residents in need. Additionally, the “Pearl S. Buck in GIFT” project provided character stationery to child protection facilities in Incheon City and Gyeonggi-do Province.

“The various 60th anniversary projects in 2025 served as a starting point to prepare for the next 60 years while reflecting on our past achievements,” said Kwon Taek-myung, Executive Director of Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea. He continued, “In succeeding the great legacy of Pearl S. Buck, Pearl S. Buck Foundation Korea will continue its social welfare practices that bridge field work, research, and culture to create a society where human dignity and diversity are fully respected.”