KAGC holds first Korean American Night in Washington
· UPIJune 24 (Asia Today) -- The Korean American Grassroots Conference held its inaugural Korean American Night on Tuesday at LG's Washington office, emphasizing the importance of expanding Korean American participation in U.S. politics.
U.S. Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker, both Democrats from New Jersey, and Republican Rep. Young Kim of California pointed to the four Korean American members of Congress and about 90 congressional staffers of Korean descent as evidence of the community's growing political influence.
They also encouraged younger Korean Americans to pursue careers in public service.
"I sincerely believe the next 10 years will be the most dynamic decade yet for Korean Americans and Asian Americans in politics and government," Andy Kim said.
Kim recalled entering Congress about 20 years ago as a graduate fellow with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As the son of immigrants with no political connections, he said he often felt that he did not belong.
"I wish I had been connected to an organization like KAGC at the time," he said.
Kim said politics is one of the ways people shape the future in which they and their children will live. He emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation through fellowship and internship programs such as those operated by KAGC.
Young Kim, chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, said four Korean Americans now serve in Congress and about 90 Korean American staffers work throughout the legislative branch.
She credited KAGC's internship and fellowship programs with helping establish a pipeline for future Korean American leaders.
Young Kim said South Korea is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner and cited Seoul's $350 billion investment commitment under a bilateral trade agreement.
She said she would continue seeking passage of the Partner with Korea Act, legislation that would establish up to 15,000 E-4 work visas for highly skilled South Korean professionals with specialized education or expertise.
Addressing concerns about the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement, Young Kim said President Donald Trump wants legal immigrants to receive the first opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
The lawmakers offered sharply different assessments of Michelle Steel, the U.S. ambassador-designate to South Korea.
Young Kim described Steel as "the right person at the right time" for the bilateral relationship.
She said Steel understands both countries and has extensive knowledge of the alliance, North Korea policy and North Korean human rights.
"I have a lot of faith in her and a lot of optimism," Young Kim said.
Andy Kim, however, accused Steel of using racially based attacks against Asian American political candidates, including military veterans, and called on her to apologize.
Kim said Steel had portrayed some Asian American candidates who served in the U.S. military as sympathetic to communism.
The Senate confirmed Steel last Wednesday in a 55-39 vote, with most Democratic senators opposing her nomination.
Booker said Korean Americans should seek greater representation in elected office, the federal judiciary and the legislative branch so the community can have a stronger voice in national political discussions.
"I did not come here simply to praise you," Booker said. "I came here to challenge you."
Booker praised Andy Kim for helping clean the U.S. Capitol after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
"When others were focused on their own safety, he went out into the Capitol and began cleaning it himself," Booker said. "He showed that power does not necessarily come from physical stature. It can come from humility and reverence."
Booker said the United States has reached a generational turning point that requires a renewal of democracy. He urged Korean Americans to take a leading role, particularly in civic life.
"My hope is that for our democracy to survive and thrive, we urgently need more Koreans to enter the political realm and the leadership realm in American politics," he said.
Dongsuk Kim, founder and president of KAGC, said the nonpartisan civic organization focuses on protecting Korean American interests and strengthening relations between the United States and South Korea.
KAGC began in the Korean American community in New York before establishing a presence in Washington. For more than a decade, it has operated programs connecting Korean American communities across the country with members of Congress.
"Maintaining a consistently bipartisan position is essential to keeping the U.S.-South Korea relationship strong and protecting Korean American political influence," Dongsuk Kim said.
Hwang Sangyeon, head of LG's Washington office, described KAGC as a bridge, community and platform that helps Korean Americans find their voices, build relationships and participate more actively in civic life.
"The U.S.-South Korea alliance is more important than ever," Hwang said. "It now extends beyond security to technology, innovation, investment, democracy, culture and shared values."
"I sincerely believe someone in this room could become the next Andy Kim or the next Young Kim," he said.
Wonseok Song, KAGC's founder and executive director, said it was difficult to find Korean American staff members on Capitol Hill 15 years ago.
"Today, about 90 are working throughout Congress," Song said. "We will continue serving as a bridge between the Korean American community and the American political system."
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260624010008721