A record 110 Korean American elected officials are currently serving across the United States, according to data compiled by the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) based on the November 2024 election results. The organization released a full list on March 7, detailing the elected officials’ districts and political affiliations.
KAGC highlighted that 2025 marks a historic milestone, with the first Korean American U.S. senator taking office, alongside new members in the U.S. House of Representatives and various local government positions. “These elected officials are not only serving the nation but also amplifying the voices of the Korean American community,” the organization stated.
Federal and state leadership
In the U.S. Congress, four Korean Americans currently serve:
- Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.)
- Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.)
- Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.)
At the state level, Korean Americans hold executive and judicial positions, including:
- Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (D-Hawaii)
- State Attorney Jaymi Sterling (R-Md.) (St. Mary’s County)
The state legislatures also have strong representation, with three Korean American state senators:
- Sen. Steven S. Choi (R-Calif.)
- Sen. Patty Kim (D-Pa.)
- Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D-Hawaii)
Additionally, nine Korean Americans serve as state assembly members across the country.
Local government influence
Of the 110 Korean American elected officials, 89 hold local government positions, including:
- 7 mayors
- 1 acting mayor
- 2 county or city council chairs
- 1 vice chair
- 21 city council members
There are also 10 Korean American judges, including:
- Judge Charles Jung (Los Angeles County Superior Court)
Another 20 Korean Americans serve on local education boards.
New Jersey leads in Korean American political representation, with 42 elected officials, followed by:
- California – 32
- Washington – 6
- New York – 5
Notably, in Oklahoma, where the Korean American population is just around 8,000, State Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Okla.) has served since 2018.
Party affiliation and future prospects
Among the 110 elected officials, 28 are Democrats and 14 are Republicans. The remaining officials hold nonpartisan positions.
Steve Kang, commissioner of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, described the increase in Korean American elected officials as a major shift.
“Compared to a decade ago, the political landscape has changed dramatically,” he said. “Having a Korean American in the U.S. Senate is a significant achievement.”
Kang also pointed to Georgia, where the Korean American population is rapidly growing, as a potential state where a Korean American U.S. representative could emerge in the near future. He added that the actual number of Korean American elected officials could be even higher, as some officials may have changed their last names through marriage or serve in small municipalities that were not included in the count.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
