Korean American judges are being appointed at a higher rate in California’s county courts compared to other ethnic groups, according to newly released state data.
Increase in Korean American Judicial Appointments
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office recently published judicial appointment statistics. Since his inauguration in 2019, he has appointed 576 judges. Of these, 100 were Asian American (17.3%).
Among them, 14 were Korean Americans, with 12 being women. Most had backgrounds in public defense, county prosecution, private law firms, or as court commissioners. Los Angeles County Superior Court saw the highest number, with six Korean American judges, followed by Orange County with two.
Representation Exceeds Population Share
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), Asian Americans make up 15.4% (7,045,163) of California’s population. Korean Americans account for 8% (564,443) of that group. Their appointment rate surpasses their proportion in the state’s population.
Governor Newsom prioritizes diversity in judicial appointments. His office reported that over 50% of appointees have been women. More than half were from minority groups, including Asians and Latinos.
Growth of Asian Judges Under Newsom
The number of Asian judges has risen significantly. In 2019, five Asian judges served on the state’s Court of Appeal. By 2025, that number had grown to 11.
The Superior Courts also saw an increase. In 2019, 127 Asian judges served in these courts. By 2025, the number had risen to 175. Other minority groups also saw growth. Black judges increased from 123 to 148, and Latino judges from 177 to 199. Meanwhile, White judges declined from 1,079 to 898.
Appointed vs. Elected Judges
As of 2025, 32 Korean American judges serve in California courts, including two in federal courts. Among them, 28 were appointed by the governor, while four were elected through judicial elections. This distinction highlights not only the impact of gubernatorial appointments but also the increasing participation of Korean Americans in elected judicial roles.
Legal Community’s Perspective
A Korean American legal expert noted that while Newsom’s diversity efforts played a role in these appointments, the rise of Korean American and female legal professionals also contributed.
“This outcome reflects the governor’s focus on minority representation, but it also shows the growing presence of Korean American legal professionals excelling in different fields,” the expert said. “We can expect to see more Korean Americans running for elected judicial positions in the future.”
Disparities in the Legal Profession
A 2023 report from the California State Bar Association highlighted disparities. While 62% of California’s population belongs to minority groups, only 35% of licensed attorneys are from minority backgrounds. Among Asian attorneys, Chinese Americans hold the highest share at 31%, followed by Korean Americans at 20%.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
