MARCH 2017

Congressional District 34 Special Primary Election
April 4, 2017

"I believe a political awakening is occurring in the Korean American community all over the nation, but especially here in L.A.," said Joon Bang, executive director of the Korean American Coalition. "Our community is evolving and it's beginning with understanding the power of their vote." 
Los Angeles Times (3/27)

Erroneous Korean Language Sample Ballots in Congressional District 34
On March 24, KAC held a joint press conference with the LA County's Registrar/City Clerk's office and gave a statement (English and Korean) on erroneous Korean language sample ballots affecting solely the Korean American voters.

KAC also held a press conference on March 28 to ask the Korean community to bring in their Korean sample ballots and help identify the magnitude of the problem.

Media: Los Angeles Times (3/25), Radio Korea, LA18, Korea Daily, Korea Times, SBS, Los Angeles Times (3/27), The Rafu Shimpo

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing

​On Tuesday, March 28, KAC hand-delivered and presented a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Registrar-Recorder/City Clerk regarding the erroneous Korean sample ballots in the special election for congressional district 34. Supervisor Hilda Solis and Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas expressed concern and willingness to work with KAC to address the problem. Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas arranged a meeting between his staff, Registrar-Recorder/City Clerk Dean Logan, and KAC Executive Director Joon Bang to address the provisions requested in the KAC letter. 

To watch the hearing and read the statements, Click here.

Media: Westsidetoday.com, Los Angeles Times

KAC Takes Action

KAC #StandsUp

In March, KAC spoke out on local issues for the Korean American community.

LAPD
On March 15, KAC recognized the LAPD in the arrest of the assailant responsible for the March 10 assault of a 24-year old Korean woman (English and Korean).

Immigration

TODAY, World Bulletin, RFI, Rappler quoted KAC's Executive Director Joon Bang regarding the federal administration's policies affecting the Asian community in Los Angeles. 

2017 Los Angeles Primary Election

On March 7, LA residents came out to vote in the city election. In addition to registering community members to vote before the elections and providing information about the various ballot measures, KAC endorsed Measure H, which passed with 67.4% of voters in support.

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Model United Nations

Berkeley MUN

​From March 3 to March 5, eight of KAC's MUN students competed against 108 schools and 1,625 students from eight countries in one of the largest MUN conferences in the world: Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN). Half of our students won awards at BMUN, bringing home four research awards, two awards of commendation, and two awards for outstanding performance. One student also won the "Critic's Choice" award in the BMUN Instagram contest!

Media: Korea Daily

Civic Engagement

March Mixer

​On March 2, KAC held a mixer featuring food, drink, and voter registration at Cafe Bleu. We were thrilled to have so many members of our diverse community join us, get to know each other, and register to vote! You can meet one of the community members we registered to vote here. Our next mixer will be coming up in May--stay tuned!

Voter Registration

​In February and March, KAC held voter registration drives and ballot information sessions at apartments in Los Angeles to provide election information and assistance to our seniors. If you would also like to register to vote, please drop by our office or our upcoming events to get registered!

Monthly Citizenship Orientation

​KAC held our monthly citizenship orientation for March to help our community members prepare for their naturalization tests and interviews. For information about next month's orientation, please contact KAC.

Thank You

Open Stewardship Foundation
KAC received a $5,000 grant from the Open Stewardship Foundation for our Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, which aims to help community members resolve a variety of conflicts. Thank you for your support!

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Philanthropy Spotlight

KAC would like to highlight this month's major donors:

​Charlie Kim
Garrett Lee
CJ Kim
Cafe Bleu
 
Thank you for your involvement, contributions, and support for KAC and the work that we do. 

KAC: Where Are They Now?

Paul "PK" Kim: KAC Program Coordinator (2002-2004)

Why is KAC important to you?
KAC is important to me because:
1. It's hard enough to get Koreans to agree on which restaurant to go to, let alone coming together as a community. Strength in numbers.
2. KAC registers voters.
3. I was Director of NCLC for two years and speaker for 7 years.
4. 4.29.1992
5. Charles Kim was a mentor. We disagree politically but he's still a pioneer. I respect him much.

What are you up to now?
I'm the Outreach Coordinator for www.leapfoundation.com. I MC/DJ weddings for Prokreation Productions. I'm a stand up comedian  > www.pkcomedy.com 

My wife Tammy Kim is an attorney and she's brilliant. And I have three wonderful kids!   Solomon 8, Sophie 5, Silas 2. I'm never not working.

Is there a message you'd like to share with the Korean American community?
Apathetic is pathetic. JeaLousy is Lousy.

Want to know more about PK?

Facebook: Personal, Page
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Podcast
Snapchat: channelpktown