Los Angeles, CA - On March 29, President Trump compared the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea with the U.S.-Mexico border as he gave remarks regarding the nation’s infrastructure agenda in Ohio. The President’s comparison proves problematic, as the DMZ on the Korean Peninsula remains a sobering reminder that North and South Korea are technically still at war. When the armistice was signed in 1953 between the United Nations, North Korea, and China to end the Korean War, the objective was to reach a final peaceful settlement between the two warring countries. However, 65 years later, the DMZ is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world and stands as a symbol of the conflict that has torn the Korean Peninsula in two. In contrast, the United States and Mexico are not neighbors at war, rather, the two countries have been strong partners and allies. “What’s disconcerting about the President’s remarks is that he is drawing a deeply flawed analogy by excluding critical historical and geopolitical context. As the President of the United States, his words carry a profound weight of responsibility, and our hope is that he is more thoughtful as he considers a meeting with North Korea in the months to come,” said KAC Executive Director Joon Bang. Media Coverage: Radio Korea ###
Educate | Embrace | Empower Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. Los Angeles, CA - The Korean American Coalition criticizes the Commerce Department’s March 22 decision to include the citizenship question in the 2020 U.S. Census. Given the current climate on immigration, the Commerce Department’s decision is likely to further discourage members of our immigrant communities from participating in the 2020 Census. KAC Executive Director Joon Bang said, “The Census is a national tool to provide a count of all residents of the U.S., not just its citizens, and it provides our country with the data we need to better serve our communities. The data is used to decide where federal dollars are allocated and how districts are drawn in our communities, among other uses. This means that 1 person omitted from the U.S. Census results in a loss of $1,500 to their community.” KAC is a designated Census Information Center and serves as an auxiliary data distribution center to reach underserved populations. Our goal in upcoming months and in 2019 is to prepare our community for the 2020 Census. Media Coverage: Korea Times, KBS America ###
Educate | Embrace | Empower Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. KAC Represents Korean Community and Receives Coaches Award at 2018 Fast Pitch Event & Showcase3/23/2018
Los Angeles, CA - On March 22, 2018, KAC Executive Director Joon Bang brought home over $6,000 in prizes and donations for KAC, including the Coaches Award, at the 2018 Social Innovation Fast Pitch Event & Showcase, hosted by Social Venture Partners Los Angeles (SVPLA). In competition with over 50 applicants, KAC became the only Korean non-profit organization among the 20 semifinalists for this event, who were selected based on the degree to which their approaches to pressing issues give them a competitive advantage to significantly increase social impact. With the support of 40 SVPLA coaches, KAC was selected as one of the 10 finalists to present on-stage. As a finalist, KAC Executive Director Joon Bang gave a 3-minute pitch to an audience of approximately 600 philanthropic, business, civic, and nonprofit leaders. KAC Executive Director Joon Bang said, “I was thrilled at the opportunity to share with the broader community the issues that affect the Korean American community and our initiative to collaborate across all cultures in Los Angeles in 3 minutes. At KAC, we envision a collaborative and inclusive Los Angeles that works together to uplift the marginalized, regardless of the color of our skin or our differences.” ###
Educate | Embrace | Empower Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. Los Angeles, CA - On March 21, 2018, the Korean American Coalition (KAC), in collaboration with the CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), CA Department of Technology (CDT), CA Secretary of State, and the Center for Civic Design, held a test of the new online driver’s license/ID card form with voter registration options to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the Korean versions of the voter registration questions. The feedback and comments received from the 17 Korean community members through this test session will be used to improve the new form. Beginning on April 16, people who go to the DMV for a driver’s license or ID card will fill out their form on their phone or a kiosk, and will have the option to register to vote or opt out. KAC is working with the CA DMV, CDT, CA Secretary of State, and the Center for Civic Design in order to ensure that the Korean community’s perspective is represented in these changes. ###
Educate | Embrace | Empower Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. Los Angeles, CA - Korean American Coalition Executive Director Joon Bang issued the below statement following the announcement from the South Korean delegation at the White House on March 8th, 2018. “We are cautiously optimistic about President Trump’s decision to meet with Kim Jong Un. It is also necessary to acknowledge South Korea’s President Moon Jae In and his ongoing diplomatic efforts that has brought us to this point. Coming off the heels of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics, this is very much welcomed news. The United States and South Korea must continue to work together and pursue diplomatic negotiations with North Korea. We are hopeful, because this is the first step in the right direction.” # # # Educate | Embrace | Empower
Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. |
Archives
October 2020
Categories |