Korean American Forum
Korean American Forum 2005
The Americans of Korean Ancestry in 2025 |
At the forum Georgia State Governor Sonny Perdue recognizd the efforts of the Korean American community. Ambassador James Laney, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, gave the keynote address and Mr. John Grant, Jr. executive director of 100 Black Men spoke about the perception of the Americans of Korean ancestry. Dr. Betty Siegel, president of Kennesaw State University, laid out the values the Korean American community brought to this nation.
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Korean American Forum 2005 Panelists (in alphabetical order)
Lincoln Group Panelists, presenting in English only
1. |
Moderator, Rev. Charles Kim, Pastor, JAMA, Los Angeles, CA |
2. |
Mr. Brian Hwang, GNC Essay Contest Winner/college student, Williams College |
3. |
Ms. Jane Hyun, author of best seller, Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling |
4. |
Ms. Hyepin Im, Pres., Korean Churches for Community Development, LA, CA |
5. |
Rev. David Lee, Associate Pastor, New Church, Atlanta, GA |
6. |
Mr. Byung-Jin BJ Pak, Assistant U. S. Attorney, Atlanta, GA |
| 7. | Rev. Billy Park, Associate Pastor, Open Church, Atlanta, GA |
| 8. | Rev. John Parker, Vision Ministry, Flushing, NY |
Dosan Group Panelists, presenting in English and Korean
1. |
Moderator, Mr. Se Chul Ok, Senior Editor, Korea Times, LA |
2. |
Dr. Kenny Ki-hyun Chun, publisher, Asian Herald, Charlotte, NC |
3. |
Mr. Kwang-dong Jo, Vice President, Korean American TV, Chicago, Il |
4. |
Rev. James Chongho Kim, Senior Pastor, Korean United Methodist Church, Atlanta |
5. |
Rev. Grace Kim, Associate for Korean Adults Curriculum Development, Presbyterian Church (USA) |
6. |
Rev. Sun Bai Kim, Executive Director, National Korean Presbyterian Council, PCUSA., Louisville, KY |
7. |
Rev. Henry Koh, Presbyterian Church in America, Mission to North America, Atlanta |
| 8. | State Senator Paull Shin, Washington State Senator |
Subjects of 5 sessions in forum
1.
Goals and current status of Americans of Korean ancestry
2. Discussion on vision and goals for Americans of Korean ancestry in 2025
3. Review of current status and issues of the American community of Korean ancestry
4. Set practical solutions and action plan to achieve the common goal
5. Joint discussion to formulate the final action plan
Forum Summary
"Let's be repectable American citzens of Korean ancestry in the US"
This can be summary of panelist's various and invaluable opinions at Korean American forum 2005 .
What are respectable American citizens like? In other words, who is hero in the US?
Rev. Charles Kim at this forum said
9*11 tragedy showed who got respect as hero in American society. Answer is those who rushed to the Ground Zero to save people's lives, risking their lives. They are selfless, putting others, community and nation first ahead themselves. It means Americans of Korean ancestry should be like these heroes to become respectable Americans.
Celebrities attending this forum has the same position toward Americans of Korean ancestry. "I hope you serve bigger one than yourself and act for community and nation"(Dr. Betty Siegel), "Did you participate? did you vote? did you make friends? Growth comes from being uncomfortable. Don't get comfortable. Plant tree otherwise you may not enjoy shade"(Mr. John Grant), "Be involved in American community and contribute to community betterments. There has been too much hesitation. Now is time to act"(Amb. James Laney)
For this purpose the first thing to do is for Americans of Korean ancestry to take ownership of America, which means they are truly saying 'America is my country. I am owner of this country, not guest'
This ownership issue is especially urgent for 1st generation of Korea immigrants, who are actually Koreans living in the US, not Americans and always looking back to Korea.
As a result, they have sticked together than jumped out of 'comfort zone', which lead to the negative perception of mainstream neighbors like 'they are “less patriotic” and “clannish”.
How do 1st generation of Americans of Korean ancestry become genuine owner of US, a person able to feel the skin-splitting pain when the nation is in trouble?
Panelists say they need to increase the understanding of US strength and values like freedom, justice, volunteership, patriotism, democracy, and so on, which can make them inspired to take pride in being US citizen.
Their children's success in the US can be great motive to jump out of 'comfort zone' and to be more involved in mainstream commuinities.
GNC director general Sunny Park told many parent of Americans of Korean ancestry say that they want to their children to be the leaders of the community and some wish for their children to be the president of the US.
He said, however, parents who want their children to lead ths community had better train them to love the community, serve community and volunteer in the community. Chidren won't be able to grow up to govern the community if the are not trained first
to love and care for people. He emphasized, "to train your children, the most important step is to become a model for your children. We must show them before we teach them"
Media covering Korean American Forum 2005
Korea Times (Sep. 26, 2005)
Donga Daily News-Atlanta (Sep. 26, 2005)