Founded in 1962, the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA) is a vital space where women from diverse backgrounds connect, collaborate and effect change. SIWA has become a beacon of local and global impact by fostering cross-cultural friendships, empowering communities, and promoting mutual understanding. More than six decades later, the organization remains committed to solidarity, diversity, and inclusion—values expressed through volunteerism, mentorship, and leadership initiatives that unite local and international networks. At its core, SIWA aims to cultivate leaders among women and youth, advancing a vision of an equitable and inclusive future.

Sunghwa Han, SIWA’s board chair and executive director, sheds light on the organization’s evolution and purpose. Initially formed to support the spouses of diplomats and expatriates, SIWA has since transformed into a philanthropic nonprofit championing women’s empowerment and cultural exchange. Under Han’s leadership, the organization has focused on sustainable partnerships, youth mentorship, and inclusive dialogue. Initiatives such as networking events, volunteer programs, and leadership workshops have strengthened SIWA’s role as a community builder. In tackling South Korea’s gender equity challenges, Han emphasizes collective engagement over political rhetoric, underscoring SIWA’s continued commitment to fostering connection and progress.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: I’m joined today by Sunghwa Han, the current board chair and executive director of the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA). Sunghwa became involved with SIWA in 2016 and served as the Welfare Committee Chair from May 2018 to April 2022 before assuming her leadership role.

Born and raised in New York City, Sunghwa initially built a career as a concert pianist, chamber musician, music journalist, and creative arts specialist. After relocating to Seoul with her family in 2012, she broadened her artistic endeavors through interdisciplinary collaborations. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from The Juilliard School and a doctorate in music education from Columbia University.

Beyond her work at SIWA, Sunghwa has served as an advisor for Rotary International and continues to mentor Changemakers, a group supporting aged-out youth. She also spent two years on the board of the Hanatour Foundation.

To start, I’d like to ask: What were the historical motivations behind the founding of SIWA in 1962, and how has the organization evolved since then?

Sunghwa Han: In 1962—of course, I wasn’t there—but many diplomatic and expatriate spouses needed a support system. They sought to build friendships and foster community engagement through cultural exchange.

Over time, their efforts extended to supporting marginalized communities through fundraisers, cultural events, and volunteer-driven initiatives. As SIWA evolved, it became more of a philanthropic organization. Eventually, we transitioned into a nonprofit under the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Foreign Ministry, which brought about significant changes and motivated us to expand our community impact.

Today, SIWA focuses on collective philanthropy and volunteerism. We believe that supporting marginalized communities is much more powerful when we collaborate and unite. Additionally, we strive to bridge local and international communities through cultural exchange and dialogue, which remains essential to our mission.

Of course, as you and I have already discussed, SIWA is also deeply committed to women’s empowerment and gender equality. We work to advance leadership and professional development for women while prioritizing inclusion and sustainability. One of our long-term goals is to sustain, grow, and expand our partnerships to further these objectives. Today, SIWA operates under two core pillars: community building and social impact initiatives

We have a hybrid leadership model with members from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our leadership team likewise reflects this diversity—we have leaders from South Korea, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore, Australia, and many other parts of the world. While this structure presents challenges, we see it as a model for sustainable leadership in the future.

Jacobsen: What foundational principles guide SIWA’s initiatives?

Han: Our initiatives are guided by the principles of collaboration, philanthropy, cultural exchange, and inclusivity. Working together can create meaningful change and empower diverse communities. SIWA aims to foster social connections and create sustainable impact through leadership, education, and outreach programs.

We foster purposeful, action-driven networking. That means we always incorporate thematic networking and strategic partnerships whenever we host an event, whether a networking session or a project.

For example, we hold women’s empowerment networking sessions with Green Climate Fund Women. We also collaborate with embassies and local Korean organizations, but there is always a central theme.

It could be women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, partnerships, or collective volunteering. There is always a purpose behind it. Many organizations host purposeful events, but we ensure each gathering has a specific theme. The second core area is leadership development and mentorship.

We have various programs that foster young people to collaborate with us. We don’t call them mentees; we refer to them as partners with a purpose.

We have realized that working with young people creates synergy—they bring fresh ideas, and we bring experience and resources. Together, we can tap into different kinds of potential.

So, while we focus heavily on leadership, we don’t necessarily label it as leadership development—we see it more as a partnership. Recently, we have been focusing on cross-generational mentorship, particularly with high school and university students. Over the past few years, this has become a significant growth area for us. The third key area is knowledge exchange and professional growth.

We host panel discussions and a special Speaking Series initiative centering on storytelling. For these sessions, we invite ambassadors’ spouses, cultural center directors, and other professionals to share their personal and professional journeys.

Unlike formal speaker events, these sessions are designed to be interactive. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, fostering meaningful dialogue. We have found that intimate conversations create stronger connections between speakers and attendees. The impact is much greater because it highlights shared human experiences, regardless of where we come from. So, we hold many of these intimate speaking events as part of our community-building initiative.

The fourth and final core area is volunteerism and collective impact. One of our flagship programs is Coming Together and Empowering Together. We partner with nonprofits that support children in welfare centers.

As part of this initiative, we also bring in international high school students and aged-out youth to organize celebration days for children from orphanages. These events include art and sports programs, shared meals, and other activities. We bring together youth from privileged and marginalized backgrounds to foster unity, regardless of socioeconomic or cultural background.

Most importantly, when we brainstorm and plan these events, we approach them as equal partnerships. The goal is to create an environment where everyone contributes, learns, and grows together.

We also have a summer theatre program for children of unwed mothers. Additionally, we run an online English program that matches international high school students from different countries—such as Singapore—with girls who previously lived in welfare centers. Our many initiatives involve various partners, which is one way we facilitate meaningful and impactful networking.

Jacobsen: How do SIWA and the diplomatic community contribute to local charity and welfare through the SIWA Bazaar?

Han: That event was a signature initiative for us until the COVID-19 pandemic when we had to put it on pause.

Previously, the SIWA Bazaar was a major fundraising event where embassies had booths selling items from their respective countries, and all proceeds went to charity. However, we have since had to rethink our approach because Seoul has changed significantly. Unlike before, Korea now has greater access to international products, so the bazaar’s original purpose of showcasing foreign goods is no longer as relevant.

Previously, local Koreans would attend to explore unique international products, but there was not much interaction beyond purchasing. The embassies would sell items, raise funds, and donate to different charities. However, we are shifting toward more direct partnerships with charities rather than providing financial donations.

We still provide funding, but our focus has moved toward collaborative programs that create deeper, long-term engagement. Instead of simply donating, we are working on integrated initiatives that bring together embassies, universities, and cultural organizations.

For example, we plan a large-scale event where arts, culture, and philanthropy intersect. This will involve embassies, arts universities, and organizations that support dancers with disabilities. The goal is to foster meaningful cultural exchange while supporting local causes.

So, while we used to fund charities primarily through direct donations, we are now shifting toward arts—and culture-based partnerships that create a more sustainable impact.

Jacobsen: How has SIWA’s transition to a nonprofit corporation influenced its operational strategies?

Han: Yes, we have hybrid leadership, meaning our team is spread across different locations and operates in a collaborative model. Additionally, we are in the process of creating an online global community. This platform will allow us to connect members in Seoul and worldwide. We focus on three key themes: Reimagine, Reinvent, and Renew.

This means we are researching the root causes behind social challenges, especially those affecting marginalized communities. While we remain non-political, we recognize that many social issues persist, particularly regarding gender equality, which, as we briefly discussed, is still lagging in many ways.

By identifying underlying challenges, we aim to develop sustainable solutions that align with our mission while leveraging our global network to drive positive change. We know we cannot change everything, but we realize the importance of having more open dialogues to shift people’s perspectives. That is why we are focusing on a more sustainable future, emphasizing women’s empowerment, the empowerment of marginalized communities, and youth leadership.

The most significant operational or strategic change we have made is taking a long-term approach. We emphasize partnerships and collaboration because we cannot grow or sustain our initiatives alone. Instead of focusing primarily on funding, we rely more on human resources and potential. If we look at the bigger picture, our strategy is about fostering collaboration, building relationships, and ensuring sustainability. That is our core approach to strategic planning. I hope that makes sense.

Jacobsen: How does SIWA support members learning about Korean culture and navigating life in Seoul?

Han: We integrate cultural exchange and local engagement through community building and social engagement. As I mentioned, we offer various programs, including arts and culture, a Korean-speaking club, a book club, coffee meet-ups in the mornings, and volunteering at Anna’s Soup Kitchen.

These are not just events; they are designed to help people connect. For example, we gather participants’ perspectives instead of having social gatherings where people introduce themselves. Based on these collective responses, we shape future events around meaningful themes that strengthen relationships.

For example, our Korean Speaking Club is structured as a mentorship program where Korean women who are experts in daily life in Korea mentor younger international women. We also offer specialized programs for professional working women and expat spouses who are in Korea but cannot work.

Through these initiatives, we meet various needs while ensuring that, at the core, everything is about connecting people.

Jacobsen: What measures are in place to promote inclusivity and equal participation?

Han: Yes, that is a critical point. It is the most important aspect of our work. For example, this year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action.” We believe strongly in action-driven initiatives. One example is our collaboration last November with the Austrian Embassy and Ambassador Dr. Wolfgang Angerholzer on the Orange the World Movement, which raised awareness of and worked to end violence against women and girls.

Jacobsen: Yes, I am familiar with it—it focuses on preventing violence against women.

Han: When we hosted an event under this movement, we brought in diverse attendees. We invited young women from universities and international schools, ensuring a broad, inclusive conversation.

We aim to create meaningful spaces where diverse voices are heard and participation is equal and inclusive.

We actively invite people from different sectors and backgrounds. However, we have moved away from solely focusing on established experts with professional experience. Instead, we strive to bring in diverse voices—whether they are seasoned professionals, young leaders, or emerging changemakers.

For example, in our Orange the World Movement event, one of our leaders partnered with a desk officer at the Austrian Embassy to brainstorm and initiate the event–a great testament to the power of collaboration! She is in her twenties, and we valued her perspective as a younger leader. Of course, the Austrian ambassador also gave a speech, but it wasn’t just about the formal aspect. The key was ensuring that young voices were actively included as partners, not just attendees.

For our upcoming International Women’s Day (IWD) event, we are organizing an interactive panel discussion featuring a diverse lineup of speakers including an executive member from UNFPA, an expert in reproductive health and women’s rights, a senior representative from the Green Climate Fund, a representative from the British Embassy sharing his perspective on diversity and inclusion, a high school student from Seoul Foreign School, a Korean professional working woman, and a university student.

We intentionally include individuals from different cultural and generational backgrounds to create a more dynamic discussion. It’s not just about diverse attendees; it’s about ensuring that the panel reflects diverse perspectives.

Representation is more impactful than simply talking about diversity. This is why we prioritize partnerships and collaborations that bring together people from different backgrounds and generations. A visible, inclusive platform sends a stronger message than theoretical discussions about inclusivity.

Jacobsen: According to Statista, South Korea’s 2024 Gender Gap Index score is 0.752, indicating an average gender gap of roughly 30%. This places the country 94th out of 146 nations surveyed. Despite South Korea’s strong standing on the UNDP Human Development Index, gender parity remains challenging. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report ranked South Korea 105th in 2023, reflecting a paradox similar to Japan’s: a high development index but persistently low gender equality scores.

Given this context, what new initiatives does SIWA have to promote women’s empowerment and foster greater community engagement in Seoul?

Han: We have discussed this extensively with younger generations—both women and men–and one common challenge we’ve observed is the lack of open dialogue. Few spaces allow these conversations to take place, partly due to prevailing anti-feminist sentiments in Korea. This stems from the country’s feminist movement evolving through different phases, leading to varying perceptions and misunderstandings. Additionally, socioeconomic and cultural barriers play a significant role and must be explored more deeply within Korean society.

That’s why we are making greater efforts to create more opportunities for women and men to have meaningful discussions. However, if an event is explicitly framed as a gender discussion, men tend to disengage, viewing it as a political issue rather than a shared conversation.

Instead, we frame these gatherings around collective volunteering, cultural exchange, or international collaboration. This approach reduces resistance and increases participation. Our priority is bridging local and international communities.

Second, we recognize that change must start with younger generations. That’s why we are creating more projects that engage young people. For example, when events focus on empowering marginalized communities, young men and women are likelier to join forces because they don’t immediately associate it with gender politics.

We have to be strategic in how we approach these issues. Instead of saying “gender equality,” we use terms like collective volunteering or open dialogue—and then they come. Once they are in the space, we can naturally introduce themes of equity and inclusion.

We have learned that nothing will change without dialogue. This isn’t about us saying, “This is the correct way to think.” Instead, it’s about creating opportunities for discussion. Our experience speaking with young Koreans and international youth—both men and women—has shown us that this approach is more effective.

So, that’s what we are working on. We aren’t saying “gender equality” outright; instead, we introduce the conversation through volunteering, community service, or environmental projects—topics that make people feel more comfortable participating. The key is to bring people together first. We can start meaningful conversations and dialogues once they are in the same space.

Jacobsen: Sunghwa, I truly appreciate your time today. Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Han: Thank you so much, Scott. It was lovely meeting you, too. Scott, thank you so much for what you’re doing. Please continue to contact us anytime. We’d love your support.

We need more people like you. Thank you, Scott. Have a lovely day.

Jacobsen: You’re welcome. Take care.