SXSK Vol. 6 — April 26, 2026

Editor’s Note

The Texas Global Alumni Summit ended on a strong note, and the connections continue to grow. UT’s first global alumni event was successfully held here in Seoul from April 16 to 18. This issue takes a closer look at the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit and its key moments. In the Publisher’s Note, John Kim (PGE ’05, UTAKA President) expresses his gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing the Alumni Summit. Reflecting on the outcomes of the event, he highlights in particular its role in elevating the university’s global standing, strengthening the position of our alumni association within the university, and laying the groundwork for an East Asia–centered international alumni network. He also outlines three key goals for the alumni association’s next phase. In UTAKA News, we begin with an update on the restructuring of the association’s PR organization. Chaewon "Joanne" Kim (ILA ’17), the inaugural Chair of the PR Committee of UTAKA, concluded her term following the Global Alumni Summit—her final official event—and passed on the leadership of the PR team to Soojin Park (GOV ’21), Vice Chair of the Membership-Development Committee. We also share that UTAKA President John Kim (PGE ’05) hosted the dinner for the IBA Spring Meeting held the evening before the summit. In Alumni News, we highlight Dr. Youngmok Yun (ME ’17), whose company provides AI robotics technology for Coupang’s logistics unloading operations, as referenced during the summit’s plenary sessions. In UT Member Interview, we feature an interview with Fiona Mazurenko (MPAff ’09), Director of Global Initiatives and Alumni Relations at Texas Global, who led the overall planning of the Global Alumni Summit. In UT Stories, we present in-depth coverage of the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit across three articles. We also report on the Dells’ recent additional $750 million gift to UT. Finally, in Texas News, we cover the opening of a new Houston office by the Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation as a hub for expanding K-food exports, along with the upcoming closure of Coco’s Cafe on Guadalupe Street, a long-standing bubble tea spot near campus.
—Ji Hyun Ahn / Editor-in-Chief / GER ’21

Publisher’s Letter

John Kim (PGE ’05), Publisher of SXSK and President of the University of Texas at Austin Korea Alumni Association extends his thanks to our alumni who helped make the Alumni Summit possible, as well as to Dr. Sonia Feigenbaum and the Texas Global team. Among the most notable outcomes of the event, he highlights the elevation of the university’s standing both in Korea and internationally, the strengthened presence of our alumni association within our alma mater, and the establishment of a starting point for an East Asia–centered international alumni network. He also presents three concrete goals as the association’s priorities moving forward.
→ Read the full letter

UTAKA News

🗞️ Leadership Transition in UTAKA’s PR Team
As the PR Committee has been integrated under the Membership Development Committee (Mem-Dev Committee), Soojin Park (GOV ’21), Vice Chair of the Membership Development Committee, has taken on the role of leading UTAKA’s PR team. Chaewon "Joanne" Kim (ILA ’17), who served as the inaugural PR Committee Chair, concluded her term in that role on April 18.
→ Read more

🗞️ John Kim (PGE ’05) Hosts IBA Spring Dinner in Seoul
On April 15, the evening before the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit, UTAKA President John Kim (PGE ’05) hosted a spring dinner in Korea for all 22 members of the International Board of Advisors (IBA).
→ Read more

Alumni News

🗞️ Dr. Youngmok Yun (ME ’17)’s AI Robot Startup, Contoro Works with Coupang
Contoro, an AI logistics robotics company founded by UT mechanical engineering PhD alumnus Youngmok Yun (ME ’17), has received investment from Coupang. The company, which develops remotely operated unloading robots, is preparing for pilot operations at logistics sites in Korea and is being recognized as an early example of the Korea–U.S. Technology Prosperity Agreement in action.
→ Read more

UT Member Interview

🗞️ Fiona Mazurenko (MPAff ’09), UT Director of Global Initiatives and Alumni Relations
In an interview with SXSK, Fiona Mazurenko (MPAff ’09), Director of Global Initiatives and Alumni Relations at Texas Global, outlined UT’s strategy for its global alumni network and its vision for collaboration with the Korean alumni community. She framed the summit in Seoul not as a one-time event, but as a new starting point for bilateral engagement, emphasizing flexible, alumni-driven participation.
→ Read more

UT Stories

🗞️ Day 1: Gala Dinner of the Inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul
On the evening of April 16, alumni and UT representatives from 19 countries gathered at The Westin Josun Seoul for a gala dinner celebrating the opening day of the summit. The program featured remarks by Senior Vice Provost Sonia Feigenbaum PhD and UTAKA President John Kim (PGE ’05), along with a calligraphy experience and a raffle.
→ Read more

🗞️ Day 2: Plenary Sessions of the Inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul
On April 17, plenary sessions were held at The Westin Josun Seoul, covering topics including the future of the university, AI and healthcare, energy, K-pop, and semiconductors. The program also featured a special performance by Risus Quartet, and concluded with the official announcement that the next summit will be held in London.
→ Read more

🗞️ Post-Event Reception of the Inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul
On the final evening of the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit, participants gathered at Sebitseom in Banpo Hangang Park for a chimaek (fried chicken and beer) dinner hosted by John Kim (PGE ’05). The gathering also included a moment of appreciation for Caitlin McCombs (M.Ed. ’22) and Chaewon "Joanne" Kim (ILA ’17) as they concluded their respective terms in Korea.
→ Read more

🗞️ The Dells Make Another $750M Gift to UT
Michael and Susan Dell have become UT Austin’s first-ever billion-dollar donors. Their latest commitment will support the creation of the UT Dell Medical Center—designed as an AI-driven healthcare system—and a new advanced research campus, along with the integration of MD Anderson Cancer Center.
→ Read more

Texas News

🗞️ Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Establishes New Houston Hub to Expand K-Food Exports
The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) opened a new Houston office on April 22, expanding its K-food export network across the Americas. With Texas as a strategic base—driven by rapid population growth and diverse food demand—the initiative aims to extend its reach across the U.S. South and into Central America.
→ Read more

🗞️ Boba Place, Coco's Cafe on Guadalupe St Closes
Coco’s Cafe, widely regarded as Austin’s first bubble tea shop, will close its Guadalupe Street location on May 10 after decades of operation near campus. Shifts in post-pandemic consumer behavior and the rise of delivery have been cited as key factors behind the closure.
→ Read more

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