SXSK Vol. 3 — March 15, 2026
Editor’s Note
Season of Spring The weather is gradually warming. Yet it is difficult to fully welcome the season after the loss of life in the Texas shooting and the ongoing war involving Iran. In this issue, we begin with the Publisher’s Letter, where Publisher John Kim (PGE ’05) reflects on the current global landscape and U.S. politics, and considers what role UT alumni might play amid these challenges. In UTAKA News, we share highlights from a welcome gathering and special seminars organized by UT alumni in Korea for UT MBA students and faculty visiting Korea through the Global Connections program. In Alumni News, we introduce Dr. Jinsuk Lee (BIO ’08) and the Risus Quartet (UT Butler School of Music), who will appear as a plenary speaker and special performers at the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul this April. We also examine two sharply contrasting perspectives from UT alumni on the Iran War: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (FIN ’81) and State Representative James Talarico (GOV ’11), now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. In this installment of UT Member Interview, we take a closer look at alumnus Haesung "David" Chung (MBA ’17) and get to know him beyond the headlines. In UT Stories, we cover the candlelight vigil held on campus after the West Sixth Street shooting, as well as the reaction from the arts community following comments by actor Timothée Chalamet at a CNN & Variety town hall hosted at UT’s Moody College of Communication. In Texas News, we report on plans to build the first new oil refinery in the United States in nearly half a century in Texas, a development unfolding amid fluctuations in global oil prices during the Iran war. We also highlight recent examples of Korean language and culture intersecting with Texas. In Lifestyle, we share skincare recommendations for dry spring weather and three seasonal Korean spring greens (namool) recipes.
—Ji Hyun Ahn / Editor-in-Chief / GER ’21
Publisher’s Letter
As the U.S.–Iran conflict raises concerns about broader Middle East escalation, global economic slowdown, and market instability, Publisher John Kim (PGE ’05, President of UTAKA) reflects on the position of UT alumni in navigating these developments. Having experienced both Texas’s spirit of freedom and frontier thinking and Korea’s perspective as a middle power, UT alumni may be uniquely positioned to interpret this moment. The letter also highlights the rise of James Talarico and frames today’s global moment as a crossroads between concentrated wealth among a small elite and broader shared prosperity. It concludes with a hope that UT alumni will expand their vision beyond Korea and the United States toward the wider world — and use their experience in service of both their nations and humanity.
→ Read the full letter
UTAKA News
🗞️ UT MBA Students and Korean Alumni Hold Welcome Dinner in Seoul
On March 9, UT alumni in Korea hosted a welcome dinner for UT MBA students visiting Korea through the Global Connections program under the guidance of Professor Ari Kang. Alumni in Korea including Heejip Kim (MBA ’87), John Kim (PGE ’05), Haesung “David” Chung (MBA ’17), and Chan H. Lee, Managing Partner of Petra Capital Management (UTIMCO), joined the gathering to welcome the students.
🗞️ Industry Seminars for Visiting UT MBA Students in Korea—Featuring Dr. Brad Kim (ECE ’01) of MegazoneCloud & Sam M. Chung (UTIMCO) of Petra Capital Management
On March 10, MegazoneCloud — where Dr. Brad Kim (ECE ’01) serves as Chief Quantum Officer — hosted “Quantum & Cloud Strategy Day” for 37 participants, including 33 UT McCombs MBA students. The event explored practical applications of quantum technologies across industries including pharmaceuticals, energy, and finance. That same day, Petra Capital Management held a Korean stock market seminar in collaboration with Yuanta Securities. The session was presented by Sam M. Chung (UTIMCO), Partner at Petra Capital Management.
Alumni News
🗞️ Dr. Jinsuk Lee (BIO ’08) Gives a Talk & the Risus Quartet a Performance at the Texas Global Alumni Summit 2026
Dr. Jinsuk Lee (BIO ’08) will speak at the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit on April 17. After earning her Ph.D. in Biology at UT Austin, she now leads talent strategy and development at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT). The event will also feature a performance by the Risus Quartet, a string quartet formed in 2020 by four Seoul National University graduates. The ensemble earned an Artist Diploma at UT’s Butler School of Music and has received numerous awards at major international competitions. Registration is open through April 06.
🗞️ Two Texas Longhorns, Two Views on Iran: Abbott (FIN ’81) Warns of Security Threat, Talarico (GOV ’11) Calls War Reckless
Governor Greg Abbott (FIN ’81) warned of potential Iranian-linked sleeper cells following the Austin shooting and announced additional deployments of Texas DPS officers and the Texas National Guard. State Representative James Talarico (GOV ’11) criticized the Trump administration’s Iran policy as reckless and argued that resources spent on overseas military operations should instead address domestic priorities such as education and healthcare.
UT Member Interview
🗞️ Alumni Interview: Haesung "David" Chung (MBA ’17) Part 1 of 2
Haesung "David" Chung (MBA ’17) begins each day with reading that helps him set the direction of his life, such as religious writing. He continues to practice the habits he developed during his time at UT—actively asking questions and expressing his thoughts. He recalls realizing the gap between the leadership he had vaguely imagined as a student and the level required in actual professional work, and notes that the difficult moments he experienced in the early stages of his business ultimately became his most valuable assets. He finds the greatest sense of fulfillment when he is able to provide meaningful help to colleagues within the organization, to customers, and to society.
UT News
🗞️ UT Community Gathers to Mourn and Demand Change After West Sixth Street Shooting
On March 03, about 200 people gathered at South Mall for a candlelight vigil organized by Students Demand Action. The names of three victims were read aloud: UT senior Savitha Shanmugasundaram, Texas Tech student Ryder Harrington, and Jorge Pederson, who later died in the hospital. Student speakers called for legislative action, arguing that living in fear of gun violence is not freedom.
🗞️ Arts World Responds to Timothée Chalamet’s Remarks
Actor Timothée Chalamet drew backlash after suggesting at a CNN–Variety town hall at UT that public interest in ballet and opera had declined. Artists including Andrea Bocelli and Misty Copeland pushed back. The controversy was further amplified by the fact that Chalamet’s grandmother, mother, and sister all performed with the New York City Ballet. Austin’s Ballet Austin turned the moment into a promotion, offering free tickets to anyone named Timothy, Timothee, or Timothée for the world premiere of Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles.
Texas News
🗞️ America's First New Refinery in Half a Century Is Coming to Texas
A new oil refinery will be built at the Port of Brownsville — the first new refinery constructed in the United States in nearly 50 years. The facility will process up to 60 million barrels of U.S. light shale oil annually. Construction costs are estimated at $3–4 billion. Energy analyst Ed Hirs cautioned that the project’s economic projections may be overstated and that much of the refined output could ultimately be exported to India. Groundbreaking is scheduled for April 2026.
🗞️ Momentum Builds for Korean Language Education in Taylor, Texas
Taylor ISD is considering introducing Korean as a formal foreign language course as Korean corporate investment grows in the region. On January 28–29, ten students from Daeyoung High School in Yeongju visited Taylor schools for classroom visits, a buddy program, K-pop performances, Taekwondo demonstrations, and Korean language lessons. The visit marked the first official exchange between the schools and highlighted strong local interest in Korean language and culture.
🗞️ New Netflix Series “Ready or Not: Texas” Featuring Seo-jin Lee & Yung-suk Nah
"Ready or Not: Texas" premieres March 24. Actor Seo-jin Lee and producer Yung-suk Nah travel across Texas without script or itinerary, discovering the state through spontaneous experiences. Along the way, they explore Texas culture — from UT burnt-orange gear and cowboy hats to AT&T Stadium, Texas BBQ brisket, ice skating, and the Texas Two-Step.
Lifestyle
🗞️ Skincare Picks for Dry Spring Days
The editor-in-chief shares skincare recommendations designed to keep skin hydrated during the dry spring season.
🗞️ Recipes for Seasonal Spring Greens
We close with three Korean spring vegetable recipes: seasoned spring cabbage, vinegared water parsley salad, and shepherd’s purse with soybean paste.
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