OKSPN

Overseas Korean Senior Professionals Network

Founded January, 2001

   What and Why

    The first wave of Korean immigrants of the post-WW II-era began arriving in the US soon after the end of the
    Korean War, in the early 1950s.  From then on until the early 1970s when massive immigration started, most
    of these 'first wavers' were college students.  They came in search of better education, better opportunities
    and better quality of life.

    Mostly in their twenties when they braved to cross the Pacific ocean, they have achieved remarkable success
    in the mainstream American profession - professors, physicians, lawyers, scientists, engineers, social
    scientists,  journalists, authors, artists and many other fields of profession.

    Beginning in the decade of 1990s, this group has reached its golden age.  Some have retired as early as 55
    while others are going full steam at 70.  This group collectively represent vast pool of experience, knowledge,
    wisdom and a unique perspective of being the first wave of the Korean-American professionals.

    Coinciding with this maturing demographic profile, we have entered, starting  also in the decade of the 90s, the
    new age of human communication and collaboration - the digital age of the global internet.  Communication
    and collaboration know no boundaries, neither geographical nor professional.

    The confluence of these two factors - one demographic and the other technological - presents us with a
    singularly unique opportunity, one in which to establish a global network of Overseas Korean Senior
    Professionals, the OKSPN.  Once such network is established, what such a group can do and achieve is
    limited only by our imagination. Information exchange and mutual enlightenment on many issues that concern
    any group of seniors such as matters of health and wealth, lifestyle for seniors, and many others are just as
    important as are some uniquely Korean-American issues such as making contributions and providing a sense
    of leadership to the larger Korean-American communities.

    As one such senior has commented, "I consider there is a significant merit in organizing a Korean-American
    55+ professional group, and develop and share various productive programs through wide-ranging social,
    cultural, and professional activities." With these in mind, we at SKAS would like to formally launch the
    OKSPN, the Overseas Korean Senior Professional Network. Let us hope that this 'experiment in progress'
    can live up to our collective aspirations.

    AGE: 55 and up. Age is determined by the YEAR of birth, not by the MONTH of birth.

    QUALIFICATION: Professionals, broadly defined, active or retired.

    FREE MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION: Membership fees may be assessed in the future.

   How To Join

    To become an OKSPN member,  send in the following required and optional information:
            Required:
                Name
                Profession and affiliation (the most recent, if retired)
                The year of birth
                Email address
                City and State of Residence
            Optional:
                URL of personal info website, if any
                Any other personal information such as phone/fax numbers, mailing address and so on.  Any of
                these information will be kept strictly confidential in OKSPN file.

      Submit to: myhan@phy.duke.edu ( BY EMAIL ONLY)

   Activities

      Activities and programs of OKSPN will contitually be developed by members.  Many such activities
      will be for members only, but there will be some programs aimed at  the overseas Korean community
      at large.

      For Members Only:
      In addition to rapid communication among members and possible get-togethers at local, regional
      and national levels, we have:

      OKSPN Bulletin
      For exchange of information and opinions, published electronically at irregular intervals.

      OKSPN Navigator
      A selected guide to Internet for members on subjects of mutual interest, including Health Management,
      Wealth Management, Lifestyles, Overseas Korean Demographics, Computers and Internet, Travel and
      Vacation, and others.

      Open to All:

      OKSPN Forum
      Essays and reports of some length on subjects pertaining to the interests of OKSPN.  The Korean-
      American Forum is always available on wider areas of subject matters.  OKSPN Forum will be
      posted on the web, accessible from this OKSPN web page.