Jay Chang Joon Kim (; born March 27, 1939) is a

Korean Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula * Korean cuisine * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl **Korean dialects and the Jeju language ** ...

- American politician and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

and ambassador for Korean-American relations. He was the first Korean American to be elected to the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

Early life, education, and business career

Jay Kim was born in 1939 in

Gyeongseong Seoul has been known in the past by successive names, including Wiryeseong () and Hanseong (Baekje era), Bukhansangun (Goguryo era), Hanyang (North and South states period), Namgyeong (, Goryeo era), Hanyangbu (Goryeo under Mongol rule), Hanseong ...

(now

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...

), during the Japanese occupation of Korea. His Korean name, Kim Chang Joon, roughly translates to "golden splendid law." During the

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

, his home was destroyed. He immigrated to the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

in 1961. After attending a community college, Kim transferred to the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering. He later earned a doctorate in political science from

Hanyang University Hanyang University (Korean: 한양대학교) is a private research university in South Korea. The main campus is located in Seoul and its satellite campus, the Education Research Industry Cluster (ERICA campus), is in Ansan. ''Hanyang'' (한양 ...

. In 1976, Kim started JAYKIM Engineers, a firm that specializes in designing highways and water reclamation projects. He built the business into a firm of 130 employees, with offices in three western states. Kim is an engineer, registered in five western states. JAYKIM Engineers was recognized as one of the top 500 design firms in the country.

Political career

Local politics

Kim was elected to the city council of

Diamond Bar Diamond Bar is a city in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2010 census it had a population of 55,544, and in 2019 the population was estimated to be 55,720. It is named after the "diamond over a bar" branding iron re ...

, a newly incorporated suburb of

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, in 1990 and was elected

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

the following year.

U.S. House of Representatives (1993–1999)

Kim was elected to the

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

in 1992 as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

from the newly created 41st District, making him the first Korean American elected to the

. Kim came under scrutiny for campaign donations, eventually pleading guilty to accepting $230,000 in illegal donations, which amounted to one-third of all donations to his 1992 campaign. At the time, it was a record for campaign violations. In 1998, he lost the primary election to Gary Miller, with whom he had once served on the Diamond Bar City Council. Miller also won the general election and held the seat until he was elected to the 31st Congressional District in 2012. Kim sought to win election in the 42nd District in 2000. He was defeated in the primary by Elia Pirozzi, who in turn was defeated by incumbent Joe Baca.

Recent activities

In recent years, Kim has focused on improving relations and business opportunities between the U.S. and South Korea. He has served as chairman of The Washington Korean-American Forum think tank since 2007. As chairman of Kim Changjoon US-Korea Foundation, he uses his political and professional experience to help develop political leadership in South Korea. The Kim Changjoon Politics and Economy Academy in Korea educates and encourages small business owners to go abroad by providing global market skills and professional knowledge. With the election of President

Park Geun-hye Park Geun-hye (; ; often in English ; born 2 February 1952) is a South Korean politician who served as the 11th president of South Korea from 2013 to 2017, until she was impeached and convicted on related corruption charges. Park was the fi ...

in 2013, Kim was appointed to the National Economic Advisory Council to help small business seek opportunities in the global market. Kim has stated that his "position in both the United States and Korea allows me to encourage economic development between our nations, and the new free-trade agreement lets companies… flourish in new markets.""A fresh and fruitful beginning for free trade"
Forbes. Retrieved 21 August 2013. However, Park was also convicted on public corruption and influence peddling charges, and on 6 April 2018, Park was sentenced to 24 years in prison in South Korea. Kim also regularly contributes articles to ''

The Korea Times ''The Korea Times'' is the oldest of three English-language newspapers published daily in South Korea. It is a sister paper of the '' Hankook Ilbo'', a major Korean language daily; both are owned by Dongwha Enterprise, a wood-based manufacture ...

'', ''

JoongAng Ilbo ''The JoongAng'', formally known as ''JoongAng Ilbo'', is a South Korean daily newspaper published in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the three biggest newspapers in South Korea, and a newspaper of record for South Korea. The paper also pub ...

'', and ''

Korea Economic Daily The ''Korea Economic Daily'' (nicknamed ''Hankyung'' (from ''han'' - South Korea and ''kyung'' - business) is a conservative and business daily newspaper in South Korea. It is the largest business newspaper by revenue in South Korea. It was f ...

'', and is the honorary Ambassador of

Gyeonggi Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...

Province. 2021 PyeongChang Peace Forum The "2021 PyeongChang Peace Forum" took from February 7 to the 10th at the Alpensia Convention Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. On the morning of February 6, one day ahead of the Peace Forum's opening ceremony, it had the first Korea-U.S. Leaders Peace Strategy Dialogue session. This 1st Korea-U.S. Leaders Peace Dialogue was organized by the Jay Kim Foundation with Gangwon-do, and it was chaired by Professor Kim Woo-sang of

Yonsei University Yonsei University (; ) is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea. As a member of the " SKY" universities, Yonsei University is deemed one of the three most prestigious institutions in the country. It is particularly respected in th ...

. Members of the National Assembly, including Ahn Min-Suk, Lee Sang-min, Hong Young-Pyo from the Majority Party, and Lee Myung-Soo from the People Power Party, participated as a panel. From the U.S. side, the former U.S. Congressman Jay Kim attended the event, and former U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and former Congressman Bart Gordon from the Democratic Party attended virtually. Korean-American Republican Congresswoman Young Kim and Congressman Ami Bera, a Member of the East Asia Pacific subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, were unable to attend the forum virtually due to a busy schedule, so instead they sent a video clip of congratulatory remarks hoping for the success of the 1st Peace Forum. A total of six members of the Korea National Assembly and the United States Congress attended the forum to discuss the current status and importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as well as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the importance of the peace exchange with North Korea through sports. Each of them gave five-minute presentations on the topic and discussed various solutions and methods in-depth. This event, which will be held every year as part of the PyeongChang Peace Forum, will be expected to contribute to the South Korea-U.S. alliance and a successful Korean Peninsula peace process. Interview with Gangwon Ilbo on February 7 On the 6th of February, right before the 2021 PyeongChang Peace Forum was held, both former and current Party Members from Korea and the United States gathered at the Alpensia in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province to discuss peace strategies for the Korean Peninsula. This meeting was organized by former US Congressman Jay Kim. Although he was born and raised in Seoul, Kim has a special attachment to Gangwon-do and was appointed as the Honorary Governor of Gangwon-do in 2016. On the 7th of February, at the start of the 2021 Pyeongchang Peace Forum, Gangwon Ilbo (Gangwon-do’s No.1 newspaper) interviewed Kim while he was spending all his efforts for discussing possible measures for peace for the Korean peninsula. During the interview with Gang Won Ilbo, Kim presented his idea that Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics' stimulation would support the Inter-Korean Exchange Plans. He also presented that North Korea's current economic difficulties make for a golden time for US-North Korea dialogue, and the U.S. Strategic Perseverance Policy will bring about North Korean Ballistic Missile Provocation. Kim stated, "Peace is not made with words, but made with strength, through consistent efforts for strengthening the alliance between Korea-U.S." Article on LA JoongAng Daily Newspaper on February 12 This New Year's Eve (Lunar New Year, 2021), former Congressman Jay Kim donated to a charity run by Happy Village (an NGO operated by LA’s JoongAng Daily newspaper) to serve hot rice cake soups to 300 older people living alone in

Professional and political affiliations

*2019.03 ~ Chair of the former US Members (FMC) of the delegation to Korea *2019.11 ~ Honorary Ambassador, Catholic Hospital of Yeoido *2016.06 ~ Honorary Governor, Kangwon Do (Place of PyeongChang Winter Olympic) *2016.03 ~ Honorary Citizen, Osan City in Kyung-gi Do *2015.08 ~ Honorary Ambassador, Suhyup (National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives) *2015.06 ~ Foreign investment Advisor, Kangwon Do *2015.04 ~ Board Member, US Korea Institute of Johns Hopkins University *2013.05 ~ National Economic Advisory Council, the Office of the President of Korea (President GH Park) *2012.06 ~ Chairman, KimChangJoon Academy *2011.07 ~ Chairman, KimChangJoon Future US-Korea Foundation *2009.09 ~ Honorary Ambassador, Gyeonggi Province *2009.09 ~ Goodwill Ambassador, Soonchunhyang University Hospital *2008.10 ~ International Advisor, Incheon International City *2008.05 ~ Honorary Citizen of Jeju Province & City of Osan *2008.01 ~ Chairman, Washington Korean-American Forum *1995.08 ~ Honorary Citizen of Seoul

Publications

*1994.08 I am a Conservative, 1994 by Sung Moon Publishing Company *1999.11 Politics in Korea & in U.S.A, 1999 by Kyo Moon Sa Publishing Company *2010.03 Go ahead Shake Me, I’ll never Give Up My Hope, 2010 by Ok Dang Publishing Company *2016.10 Be Ready for Next President Trump , 2016 by Raon Book Publishing Company

Columns and commentaries

*Jay Kim’s Untold Story of U.S. Politics (Hankook-Ilbo), 2008-2010 *Jay Kim Column in Korea Daily U.S. Edition (Jung Ang-Ilbo), bi-weekly, 2009–present *Jay Kim Desk on WKTV in Washington DC, bi-weekly, 2008-2016 *Jay Kim’s Korean Politics and U.S. Politics in Korea Economic Daily, bi-weekly, 2009–present *Jay Kim Column in the Korea Times, English edition, bi-weekly, 2010-2016 *Jay Kim’s Congressional Memoir in the Korea Times, English edition, weekly, 2010-2011

Awards

*The President’s Medal and Award’ from ROK, 2012 *The Political Leadership Award, Korean American Political Leadership Conference, 2012 *1993 Recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award * US Department of Commerce: Sprit of Enterprise *Citizens Against Government Waste: Award for Taxpayer Hero *Watchdogs of the Treasury: Award for Golden Bulldog *The Free Congress Foundation: Award for Sound Dollar *The National Federation of Independent Business: Guardian of Small Business *The League of Private Property Voters: Champion of Property Right *The

60 Plus Association The 60 Plus American Association of Senior Citizens is an American conservative advocacy group founded in 1992 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. Its stated purpose is to promote solutions to seniors' issues that are grounded in free markets, less ...

: Guardian of Seniors Rights *The National Wholesale Grocers and International Food Service Distributors Association : Award for the Thomas Jefferson *The National Security Caucus: Award for the National Security Leadership *1993 Recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award *Award for National Excellence in Civil Engineering *Award for Outstanding achievement in Business Community *Engineer of the Year Award *Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award of the 103rd Congress *Outstanding Leadership Award from NAPAW

References

External links

Former Congressman Jay C. Kim Official Website
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Jay 1939 births American mayors of Korean descent Asian-American members of the United States House of Representatives California city council members California politicians convicted of crimes California politicians of Korean descent Hanyang University alumni Living people Mayors of places in California People from Diamond Bar, California People from Seoul People with acquired American citizenship Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California South Korean emigrants to the United States USC Viterbi School of Engineering alumni Asian conservatism in the United States