Charter of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association

“Peace is More Precious than Triumph.”

This historic declaration, a testament to human history, guided the life and work of Dr. Young Seek Choue (Miwon, 美源), the founding Chancellor of the Kyung Hee University System. Rooted in the dignity of humanity, Miwon envisioned “Unfolding Cultural Worlds for Humanity,” a world in which all peoples and life on the planet can coexist and thrive in shared prosperity. Along these lines, Miwon sought to chart a pathway toward a better civilization for all.

His noble mission led to numerous initiatives and achievements for world peace, including the inauguration of the United Nations’ International Day and Year of Peace. It became a milestone in the pursuit of world peace.

Yet, the reality we face today has entered a markedly different phase. As the devastation of war grows more frequent and the tides of a new Cold War rise, deepening climate, environmental, and ecological crises compel us to ask whether the peace vision of the planetary community can truly endure.

Accordingly, we seek to carry forward and rejuvenate in our time the “Love for Humans, Peace for Humanity” spirit that Miwon bequeathed, and to share it widely with the world. To ensure that the Miwon Peace Prize, which identifies and encourages those dedicated to the betterment of humanity, shines as a beacon of peace for generations to come, we pledge to unite in strengthening its spiritual and financial foundations. With pride and a deep sense of mission to contribute to the reconstitution of a peaceful and thriving future of humanity, we hereby raise the banner of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association and adopt this Charter.

Chapter 1. General Provisions Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association (the “Association”) is to provide financial and institutional support for the Kyung Hee University System in connection with the Miwon Peace Prize. In furtherance of this purpose, the Association shall support the identification, public dissemination, and awarding of the Miwon Peace Prize to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to world peace and the advancement of human civilization, without discrimination based on race, gender, language, nationality, ideology, or religion, and with due regard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people. This purpose reflects the ideals of Dr. Young Seek Choue (Miwon), who aspired to create a peaceful and prosperous cultural world for humanity, a world free from war.

Article 2 (Name)

The name of this organization shall be the “Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association.” The governing and executive body responsible for the administration of the Association shall be the “Executive Committee of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association” (the “Executive Committee”).

Article 3 (Headquarters and Corporate Establishment)

  1. The Association shall maintain its headquarters within fifty (50) miles of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
  2. The Association shall establish, in the United States and in accordance with applicable S. laws, a nonprofit foundation named “Miwon Peace Prize Foundation Inc.” (the “Foundation”) to carry out the Association’s activities.
  3. By resolution of the Executive Committee, the Association may establish branch offices in Korea or other regions as necessary to carry out its purposes.

Article 4 (Activities)

The Association shall conduct the following activities:

  1. Raising, holding, administering, and managing funds for the prize money and operational expenses of the Miwon Peace Prize awarded by the Kyung Hee University System.
  2. Undertaking such other activities as are necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the

Article 5 (Membership and General Assembly)

  1. The Association shall have not fewer than twenty (20) and not more than one hundred (100) members. Each member shall serve a two-year term and may be reappointed. In the event of a vacancy due to retirement or resignation, a new member shall be admitted by resolution of the Executive Committee.
  2. Member Responsibilities. Members shall disseminate Miwon’s philosophy of peace and shall raise and manage funds to enable the smooth and effective awarding of the Miwon Peace Prize by the Kyung Hee University System.
  3. The annual membership fee shall be one thousand U.S. dollars (US$1,000) and shall be paid no later than June 30 of each fiscal year.
  4. Regular General Assembly. The Regular General Assembly shall be held annually on November 22, the birth anniversary of Young Seek Choue. Attendance by videoconference shall be deemed attendance.
  1. Extraordinary General An Extraordinary General Assembly may be convened by the Chairperson or upon the request and approval of a majority of the Executive Committee Members. An Extraordinary General Assembly may be held in person or by videoconference.
  2. Notice of any General Assembly shall be provided to all members by email and text message at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled date.
  3. Quorum and Voting. A quorum for a General Assembly shall consist of a majority of the members in good standing, including those attending by Except as otherwise provided herein, resolutions shall be adopted by a majority vote of the members present. Amendments to this Charter shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing.

Article 6 (Executive Committee)

  1. The Executive Committee shall consist of twelve (12) officers holding the following positions:
    1. Chairman: Represents the Association, presides over meetings, and oversees all organizations and operations.
    2. Secretary General: Prepares all meetings, drafts and preserves minutes, and oversees administrative Executes tasks upon approval by the Chairperson, directs paid staff, and manages all tangible and intangible assets and records.
    3. Treasurer: Responsible for financial management, preserves donation records, receives annual audits, reports to the General Assembly, and files annual reports and required documents with government authorities.
    4. Auditor: Employs a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to audit the financial status and administrative results, reporting to the Regular General Assembly upon a resolution by the Executive Committee.
    5. Miwon Peace Thought Research Chairperson: Continuously researches, shares, and promotes Miwon’s philosophy of peace.
    6. Archive Management Chairperson: Collects and preserves all records and media coverage related to Miwon Peace Prize events.
    7. Public Relations Chairperson: Promotes the Association’s events and policies to foster public understanding and participation.
    8. Donation Management Chairperson: Plans and executes fundraising for the Miwon Peace Prize fund and safely operates the fund to generate interest or investment
    9. Website Management Chairperson: Manages and improves “miwonpeaceprize.org” upon resolutions by the Executive Committee. May employ a professional website
    10. Membership Management Chairperson: Recommends candidates for membership, maintains the roster of elected members, and reports to the Kyung Hee University
    11. Spokesperson: Oversees official statements, policy announcements, and media
    12. Event Task Force Chairperson: Oversees the Miwon Peace Prize award gala and other fundraising events.

    b.   Authority and Duties. The Executive Committee shall be the governing and executive body of the Association and shall have the authority and responsibility to:

    1. Raise and manage the funds necessary to support the prize money and operational expenses of the Miwon Peace Prize.
    2. Promote and disseminate Miwon’s philosophy of peace and participate in related research and outreach.
    3. Perform such duties as may be entrusted to the Association by the Kyung Hee University System in connection with the Miwon Peace Prize.
    4. Admit and recommend new members of the Association in accordance with this

    c.   Meetings.

    1. The Executive Committee shall meet as Meetings may be convened by the Chairperson or upon the request of a majority of the Executive Committee Members. Meetings may be held in person or by videoconference.
    2. Notice of the date and time of any Executive Committee meeting shall be provided by email and text message at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date.

    d.   Quorum and Voting.

    A quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of a majority of the Executive Committee Members, including those attending by videoconference. Resolutions shall be adopted by a majority vote of the Executive Committee Members present.

    Chapter 2. Assets and Accounting

     Article 7 (Classification of Assets)

    The assets of the Foundation shall be classified as Basic Assets and General Assets.

    a.   Basic Assets shall include:

    1. Assets contributed as the Association fund
    2. Assets donated as designated contributions for the Miwon Peace Prize prize fund
    3. General Assets that are incorporated into Basic Assets by resolution of the Association

    b.   All assets other than Basic Assets shall constitute General Assets. Article 8 (Management of Assets)

    1. Assets shall not be sold, donated, or pledged as
    2. Cash assets shall be managed by the Chairperson of Donation Management, subject to prior resolution of the Executive Committee, in a prudent and secure manner designed to generate interest or investment returns.

    Article 9 (Funding)

    The prize money and operational expenses of the Miwon Peace Prize shall be funded through interest and investment returns on Basic Assets, donations, and membership dues.

    Article 10 (Accounting Principles)

    The accounting of the Association shall be maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) of the United States.

    Article 11 (Fiscal Year)

    The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

     

    Chapter 3. Officers

    Article 12 (Term, Removal, and Resignation)

    1. The initial officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the inaugural General Assembly and shall serve a term of two (2) years. Officers may be reappointed. In the event of a vacancy, the Chairperson may appoint an interim officer within thirty (30) days.

     

    1. An officer may be removed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Executive Committee Members (twelve (12)), after (i) a meeting is convened by the Chairperson (which may be held by videoconference) and (ii) the officer is provided a full opportunity to be heard, upon the occurrence of any of the following:
      1. Material violation of this Charter or of a lawful resolution of the Executive Committee
      2. Causing significant loss to the Association or materially harming its reputation through intent or negligence
      3. Material interference with the affairs of the Association
    2. An officer may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Chairperson.
    3. An officer shall not participate in deliberation or voting on matters concerning his or her own appointment or removal.

    Article 13 (Paid Staff)

    The Secretary General may, by resolution of the Executive Committee, hire such paid staff as are necessary to carry out the affairs of the Association.

    Article 14 (Enforcement Bylaws)

    Any matters necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this Charter shall be set forth in bylaws adopted by resolution of the Executive Committee.

     

     

    Supplementary Provisions Article 1 (Effective Date)

    This Charter shall become effective on the date of approval by the Kyung Hee University System.

    Article 2 (Transitional Provision)

    All affairs previously handled by the Kyung Hee International Foundation prior to the effective date of this Charter shall be deemed to have been handled pursuant to this Charter.

    Article 3 (Membership Qualifications)

    Subject to submission of the prescribed membership application and payment of dues, the following persons shall be eligible for membership:

     

    1. Individuals who participated as promoters in the establishment of the Miwon Peace Prize hosted by the Kyung Hee International Foundation
    2. Individuals of high international standing who endorse the purposes of the Association and wish to become members
    3. Descendants of Young Seek Choue who wish to participate
    4. Current or former Presidents, Chancellors, Trustees, or Professors of Kyung Hee University who wish to participate
    5. Current or former Presidents, Vice Presidents, or Officers of the Kyung Hee University Alumni Association or its regional branches who wish to participate
    6. Current or former Directors of the Kyung Hee International Foundation who wish to participate
    7. Distinguished alumni of Kyung Hee University who are active in politics, business, the arts, or the media worldwide and wish to participate

     

     

    Charter Preparatory Committee

    Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association

    Chairperson: Byung-Mook Kim, PhD in Law, 12th President of Kyung Hee University Members: Steven Sukho Choi, Byung-Tae Cho, Sang-Seok Noah, Young-Kil Kim, Byung-Don Ahn, Chang-Shin Park, Ki-Hyung Kim, Dong-Soo Kim, Sang-Myung Lee, Hee-Gon Kim, Byung-Sun Kim, Byung-Chan Moon