[Student Reporters] Remembering the Promise We Made

Hana Jang / 11th Glendale High

Eighteen years ago the Korean American community was witness to an unexpected breakout of violence in the LA riots of 1992. From that year since an organization called the Korean American Coalition active since 1983 has hosted an annual event to commemorate the significance of this event.

However the Korean American Coalition (KAC) does not only revolve around this single event for it has consistently been involved in integrating as much Korean American presence into modern society as possible. It is through selected leaders of the KAC that the Korean American society has been expanding its influence amongst the surrounding areas and into the minds of today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.

Current Executive Director of KAC - LA Grace Yoo has observed the growth and change within the coalition during her years a part of it.

"In the beginning [the event] was more about sadness and concentrating on the tragedy of the riot. Then it became more about community building and now it's about remembering the promise we made" she said.

"As part of the Korean American Coalition our goal is to promote communities to grow their own produce in order for communities to efficiently sustain themselves. And our ultimate goal is to unify the coalitions."

The KAC is using its power to help achieve this goal.

"We are working on the 4.29 Dispute Resolution Center as a means for communities to resolve their problems through techniques like the use of English translations" explained Grace Yoo.

Not only has KAC been a part of the LA Riots commemoration it has consistently worked alongside other programs. THINK (Topple Hunger in North Korea) the Michael Cho Case KAC Model United Nations (MUN) and the previously mentioned 4.29 DRC are all ways KAC are making sure that Korean American societies are involved within the community.