Uncategorized

Mr. Philip Mok

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Assisted in the development of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) while interning in Hon. Lee KeJin’s office (2007). As Campaign Coordinator for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, solicited support of Korean Veteran community for volunteers (2010).  Founding member of Kollaboration DC, which highlights Korean and other Asian talent to mainstream audiences.  Named as Korean American Leader in the Public Sector by Korean Consulate General in NYC (2013).  Supported Korean & U.S. Veterans while serving as Korean Community Liaison for NY Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (2012-2014). Support ROK-U.S. Alliance through active participation in Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), which supports military engineering worldwide.

Volunteer efforts:

Founding Board Member, Kollaboration DC (12/09-4/11); Social Media Specialist, Kollaboration Houston (2/12-5/12); VP of Communications, COMTO New York (12/16-6/18); VP of Publicity, Society of American Military Engineers NYC Post (1/20-1/22); Mentor Hawaii Committee Member, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Young Professionals (7/23-7/24); Web Manager, SAME Honolulu Post (1/24-Pres.); Startup Mentor, Blue Startups (2/24-Pres.); Virtual Professional-in-Residence (VPIR), Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (4/24-Pres.); Board Member, COMTO Hawaii (6/24-Pres.); and VP, Western Region, SAVE International (6/24-Pres.)

Short biography:

Phil Yong Soo Mok was born in Baltimore, Maryland to parents James Jinsu & Christine Eunjoo Mok, both Korean Americans who came to the U.S. at an early age to pursue the American Dream. James’ father had served in the Korean War, and Christine was adopted by an American GI. He knows that the Republic of Korea would not exist without the U.S.-ROK Alliance and has dedicated parts of his career to furthering that Alliance. Phil received his Bachelor’s in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland with a specialization in East Asian relations, and studied at Korea University’s International Summer Campus in 2007, where he interned at the Office of ROK National Assemblyman Kejin Lee, who was on the Assembly Culture and Tourism Committee, and Chairman of the Agriculture, Forestry, and Maritime Committee. Thanks to the KORUS FTA, goods and services trade between the two countries total $200 billion annually. Phil then worked for Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and New York State Senator Toby Stavisky in Korean community outreach roles, and worked in an advisory role for Korean outreach on political campaigns. He currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife Andriani, and works for AECOM, a Fortune 500 infrastructure consulting firm as a Project Manager on projects in Hawaii, Guam, Korea, and Japan.

Statement from the nominator about the nominee’s qualities:

If selected for this Honor, I will continue to do my best to contribute further to the ROK-U.S. Alliance by first publishing that I was chosen for this Honor to my social media (15,650 LinkedIn connections,  4600 Facebook followers, ~1200 Instagram) and Honolulu Korean-language media, urging all those who support the Alliance, democracy, a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the rules-based international order to join KDVA.  I will continue my steadfast support of the Alliance by contributing to events that will further the relationship between the two nations and their peoples. In addition, I will create connections between my colleagues in Congress (ex. Rep. Grace Meng), the ROK National Assembly, and Korean Consulate General in Honolulu and supporting formal engagements between the two nations, for example joint declarations, military exercises, joint bases like the one announced in Japan. I will support commerce between the two nations using my connections at Blue Startups and University of Hawaii’s Shidler School of Business.

Mr. John Sagan

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Mr. John Sagan is a Korean War Veteran.

Volunteer efforts:

Volunteers at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and his church.

Short biography:

John Paul Sagan was born 12-17-1931 along with his twin sister, to immigrants of Poland. He grew up in an average farm family with 13 children on an 80-acre farm in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He only finished 9 grades of school, in order to run the farm, then worked in abatement. One month after turning 20, he was drafted first going to Fort Jackson for a short basic training, then he went to Camp Louis in Washington state. He left there on a troop ship, arriving in Japan for gear issue, then to Incheon, South Korea. He trucked, then walked to Pork Chop Hill. In the 2d Infantry Division, 38^th Infantry, Company D, they fought against constant mortaring, traveling to Old Baldy, then T Bone Hill. Throughout this journey, his troop were accompanied by two Korean Soldiers, twice his age. He says they spoke English, helped them get to the next hill, but mostly tried to reassure them that they were going to make it home. Without the support and encouragement of those two Korean officers, they would not of made it through the war. He turned 21 at T Bone Hill and was still there when the Armistice was signed. He came home to marry Lois and have four amazing children. He was one of the first police officers in Oak Creek, WI, and bought a bar & restaurant with his wife. We lost Lois 14 years ago, but we still have the bar. He still owns two properties that he takes care of, he is a devoted Chistian, friend, and member of the legion. He has helped countless people throughout the years and continues to do that. I was gifted the chance to accompany him on an Honor Flight last year at the age of 91! I cannot express the appreciation that I have for my father – a great man, selfless, defender, and contributor to all.

Statement from the nominator about the nominee’s qualities: 

John Paul Sagan was never angry, like so many that were drafted seem to be. As hard as it was to leave his family and the safety of the farm, he was, and still is, ready for whatever anyone asks of him. Besides his work ethics, he is strong for his family, friends, and fellow Veterans. He belongs to the local VFW, and though all of the other men served in Vietnam or later, he considers them equal … and family. He helps out with events, and if not physically, then with donations to help get the job done. He received the Korean War medal from the Korean Embassy, that he shows off proudly. He truly would like to go back to Korea next year, so I will do whatever I need to make that trip possible!

Major General Richard Appelhans

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Rick served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, J2, and Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, C2 in UNC, CFC, and USFK from 9 June 2021 to 19 June 2023. During this period, Rick led 352 military, civilian, and contractor intelligence professionals executing combined and joint intelligence amid an unprecedented sequence of provocations and challenges by North Korea. His leadership was critical in focusing the intelligence’s predictive characterization of North Korea’s ballistic missile launches, UAV incursions, development of cruise missile capabilities, and preparation for a seventh nuclear weapons test. This provided the Commander with the critical information to execute a variety of response options and dominate the information domain. He drove a ground-breaking transformation of intelligence exercise support from COMBINED COMMAND POST TRAINING events into theater-level field exercises after a five-year hiatus. Under his innovative and inspirational leadership, the integration of combined intelligence was expanded with the historic transition and relocation of intelligence operations from Yongsan Garrison to Camp Humphreys. Finally, Rick pioneered the Regional Fusion Cell concept, advancing on-Peninsula and off-Peninsula intelligence capabilities to ensure the current and future commanders will be able to deter adversary threats during Armistice, and, if deterrence fails, effectively neutralize threats.

Volunteer efforts:

Although not volunteer work, Rick was a servant leader always cognizant that the personnel that served under him was his most precious resource. He secured the intelligence mission by prioritizing the advancement of quality-of-life concerns of both the military and civilian work forces. He was able to do this by increasing the quality and quantity of senior leader engagements and communication with service members, civilians, families, and contractors.

Short biography:

Rick is currently serving as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca. Prior to this position, he served as the USFK J2 and CFC Deputy C2. Rick’s overseas assignments and deployments include the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Germany, the Netherlands, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq. Rick was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Central Washington University. He holds a BS in Political Science from Central Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Air War College. In 2023, Rick was awarded the Korea Order of National Security Merit Cheonsu Medal by President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Statement from the nominator about the nominee’s qualities: 

Rick believes the ROK-U.S. Alliance is like no other in the world – forged in blood and grounded in common values and interests. He characterizes it as a pillar of stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia. Furthermore, he considers the combined ROK-U.S. Intelligence Enterprise, grounded in mutual trust and respect, at the forefront of the Alliance. His selfless service and passion to the Alliance and Veterans, was demonstrated through his accomplishments while serving as the USFK J2, and CFC Deputy C2. Rick’s experience while serving in the ROK has served as the foundation that informs his current duties in developing and integrating the most cutting-edge intelligence technologies that will enhance the Alliance’s deterrence and defense capabilities for decades to come. This will ensure the ROK-U.S. Alliance remains the Gold Standard for Intelligence interoperability and sharing. Rick believes in the Korea Defense Veterans Association’s mission, and as a member, plans to support its endeavors to the greatest extent possible.

The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) proudly sponsors the first Korea Revisit Program for Korea Defense Veterans in November 2021.

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is managing the application and selection of Defense Veterans who served in Korea since the signing of the Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953.

MPVA has provided ten slots for U.S. Korea Defense Veterans along with a companion (spouses or helpers) for each Veteran.  Participants will be selected from among the KDVA membership. 

For U.S. Defense Veterans who are not yet KDVA members and would like to be eligible for participation in the Revisit Program, please join KDVA as a Regular Member by October 1, 2021 at https://kdva.vet/join-kdva/ – it is free.

Additionally, MPVA is providing one additional slot for the other Sending States, and a travel companion.

The Sending States that supported/are supporting the United Nations Command in Korea are:  Australia, Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the Republic of South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Over 3.3 million U.S. Service Members and thousands from the other Sending States have served in Korea since the signing of the Armistice Agreement. 

The program will be 4-5 days in Korea.  MPVA will pay 100% airfare for Veterans and 50% for companions (spouses or helpers).  MPVA will cover all other costs in Korea like meals, hotels, transportation, etc.

We will announce the date as soon as it is confirmed.

Apply at KDVA.vet by October 4, 2021.

APPLY HERE

Submit your articles for KDVA’s 2020 3rd Quarter ROK-U.S. Alliance Journal by June 5. The Journal will be published in early July. 

The digital journal features stories and articles by KDVA members and supporters of the ROK-U.S. Alliance. It allows our members and supporters a way to voice their expertise and opinions that add to discussions about the Alliance.

The journal will go to our members, our partner organizations, potential sponsors, Alliance experts in the ROK and U.S. governments, and U.S. and ROK think tanks.

Submission Guidelines: 

• Articles must be submitted in English.
• Topic areas are: 
  • Veterans
  • Security and Strategy
  • Korean and American Culture
  • Serving in Korea
• Articles should be less than 1,500 words, 1,000 words if submitting photos for your article.
• If your article is longer, please indicate what parts you would like us to publish and provide a link or contact info where our readers can get the full article or story.
• If providing photos, please provide photo captions and photo credits. Photos should be sent in separate attachments and be in jpg. or png. format. 

Please send any questions or articles to kdva.journal@gmail.com by June 5. If your articles are selected for publication, we will contact you for further steps.

Check out KDVA’s 1st Quarter ROK – U.S. Alliance Journal. – Click here.