Hyundai Motor will sponsor a Korea-related research unit at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C., the company said Thursday.

This is the first Korea-oriented scholastic program at the center. “We hope the programs will deepen U.S. opinion leaders’ understanding of Korea and Korean businesses,” Hyundai stated.

Hyundai, alongside Korea Foundation, sealed a deal on Wednesday to establish the Hyundai Motor-KF Center for Korean History and Public Policy at the think tank where scholars will research Korea’s trade, business, politics and Korea-U.S. ties, and develop a curriculum on Korean modern history for U.S. teenagers. A fellowship to support studies on Korean history and public policies will also be established. Hyundai and KF chipped in $2 million and $1 million, respectively, for the program.

The Wilson Center will hold a slew of forums in both Washington and Seoul about Korea-U.S.-Japan ties in trade and economy, separation of the two Koreas for 70 years, as well as Korea-U.S. relationship and Korea’s modern history.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in 2014 was named one of the top 10 think tanks around the world by the University of Pennsylvania last year. Its board members include Thomas Nides, former deputy secretary of state for management and resources; U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell and more.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)