• 한국학연구
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• no.54
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• pp.167-193
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• 2019

This paper examines the programs and practices of the Asia Foundation during the politically tumultuous period of the early 1960s. Since its opening of branch office in Korea, the Asia Foundation expanded the scope of its activities that catered to the "local" needs of the country. Yet, the military coup in 1961 led by Park Chung Hee created a serious challenge to the organization, forcing it to look for a breakthrough. An opportunity presented itself in late 1961 when Park planned a visit to the US to hold a summit meeting with the US president Kennedy. The Asia Foundation seized an opportunity, by hosting a banquet reception for Park who made a stopover in San Francisco. The entire process of preparation enabled the foundation to develop close rapport with the key players in the military junta. Furthermore, it gained an invaluable insight into the junta's policy agendas, member dynamics as well as what the despot Park disfavors. The successful hosting turned the foundation into the most formidable philanthropic organizations in Korea. Concurrently, its program designs increasingly catered toward creating and serving the new administrative policies and programs of the military junta government. This "top-down" style of localization marks a new modus operadi, indicating a deeper collaboration between the foundation and South Korean government in the 1960s. Two programs stand out. They are : the diplomat training and law education. Both ended up strengthening the governing power of the Park administration.