The Foundation held its 2026 New Year’s Kick-off Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on January 2 in the main conference room. The event included a presentation of appointment certificates to newly assigned officials, as well as an awards ceremony recognizing employees who made outstanding contributions to the Foundation’s development in 2025 and the presentation of commendations from the Minister of Education.

In her New Year’s address, Chairperson Park Ji-hang emphasized the achievements made in expanding public-facing content, establishing a new AI Center to proactively respond to the era of artificial intelligence, and improving outdated work systems, while presenting the Foundation’s vision and strategic direction. Building on the experience accumulated through international cooperation last year, she stated that the Foundation will pursue more strategic solidarity and develop a broader network this year. To communicate the Foundation’s voice more persuasively on the international stage, the Foundation will expand its external reach while focusing on enhancing the quality of its research, and will further diversify its modes of cooperation with the international community.

Stressing that this year should become the effective inaugural year of “Northeast Asian History Foundation 2.0,” she underscored internal collaboration and mutual growth within the Foundation. She concluded her address by asking all employees for consideration and trust to support the Foundation’s leap forward. Newly elected union branch chair Lee Dong-wook also delivered New Year’s greetings in support of the Foundation’s advancement.