Yonsei University has established an endowed professorship in honor of former U.S. Ambassador James T. Laney for his contributions to the friendship between Korea and the U.S. The 86 year-old served as ambassador to Korea from 1993-1997 after serving as president of Emory University. As the top U.S. diplomat in Korea, he played a vital role in resolving the first North Korean nuclear crisis. As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Laney was stationed in Korea in the late 1940s, working in military intelligence. In the late 1950s, he returned to Korea, where he taught at Yonsei while serving as a Methodist missionary. Beginning next semester, Yonsei will recruit distinguished statesmen, diplomats, and academics from Korea and abroad to serve as the James Laney Professor for one year. During his or her tenure, the James Laney Professor will hold seminars and open lectures at Yonsei. On March 4, President Jeong Kap-young hosted a reception at his official residence to celebrate the establishment of the James Laney Professorship. Yonsei officials, former U.S. Ambassador Donald Gregg, and current U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim attended the event. Sadly, Laney was unable to be present due to health reasons.