Speaker
We're now connected to Prof. Park, specialist for Korean American history. Hello, Prof. Park.
Prof. Park
Good evening.
Speaker
Prof. Park, could you tell us a little about when Korean American immigration started and why?
Prof. Park
The first Koreans left their country in 1903 for the United States. The main reason why they did this was the fact that Korea was a colony of Japan and the United States promised democracy, peace and a decent way of earning one's life. However, as colonial subjects of the Japan, Koreans were legally Japanese nationals. So when, in 1908, the Gentlemen's Agreement was signed to stop labor immigration of the Japanese, Koreans were excluded, too. And even when Korea was no longer a colony of Japan, the 1924 Quota Act applied. It wasn't until the 1965 Immigration Act that Korean immigration resumed.
Speaker
Where exactly did Koreans come from and what were their destinations in the United States?
Prof. Park
It is safe to say that Koreans from all over Korea were eager to leave their country at the turn of the 20th century. In the beginning, they mostly went to Hawai'i. This was followed by an immigration wave to the mainland, mostly to California, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and Alaska. More recent migration patterns show that a lot of Koreans seem to have moved to the Old South recently.
Speaker
You mentioned that Korean immigrants hoped for a decent job in the United States. What were their main fields of occupation?
Prof. Park
Most early immigrants worked in agriculture or in mines. There was also a great number of Koreans who helped build the railroad. Others worked in salmon fisheries in Alaska. Recent immigrants, i.e. immigrants since 1965, are either university students who don't intend to become permanent residents or they are self-employed. Businesses include hotels, laundries, grocery stores, and gas stations. A lot of these businesses are located in urban ghettoes, like in Los Angeles' Koreatown. Despite this, however, most Korean Americans live in the suburbs.
Speaker
Speaking of Koreatown ... that's where, in 1992, the Los Angeles race riots took place because a Korean shopowner shot an African American girl, right?
Prof. Park
You're both right and wrong. One of the reasons of the race riots - or Sai-I-Gu (4/29) in Korean - was that a Korean shopowner shot an African American girl and didn't serve any time in jail for that. However, the outcome of the Rodney King trial was another factor that is not to be forgotten. And finally, the situation in Koreatown is a direct result of a long history of legal racism.
Speaker
Could you name the most important instances of legal racism leading to the race riots?
Prof. Park
Well, already the 1790 Naturalization Act discriminated against Koreans and other non-white people because it limited citizenship to "free white people." Then, in 1901, it became illegal for Asians to marry whites. In 1906, the school segregation crisis in San Francisco excluded all Asian children from being educated together with white children. The 1907/08 Gentlemen's Agreement put a ban on labor immigration of the Japanese and Koreans because Koreans were Japanese nationals at that time. Moreover, Koreans couldn't own land due to the 1913 Alien Land Law, prohibiting non-citizens to own land. Finally, the 1924 Quota Act stopped immigration from Asia altogether. And we don't even have to speak of the fact that Koreans have been called "gooks" for a long time.
Speaker
Prof. Park, if you had to summarize the most important things everyone should know about Korean Americans, what would you say?
Prof. Park
Well, I'd start with the fact that there are about 2 Million Korean Americans living in the US right now and that most of the recent immigrants are college-educated professionals. It is equally notable that most Korean Americans are Protestants and that their religious belief has always been very important to them. The first generation of Korean Americans assembled in the churches to help free their country from Japanese colonial rule. However, the second generation turned away from the fight for Korea's independence and towards dealing with living in the US. This generation gap is very common for Asian Americans in general. Other important things include the celebration of several states of a Korean American Day on January 13th, as well as the fact that since the end of the Korean War about 150.000 Korean orphans have been adopted by American families. And last but not least, the biggest contribution of Korean Americans is the invention of the nectarine by Kim Hyung-soon.
Speaker
Apart from Kim Hyung-soon, who would you consider to be notable Korean Americans today?`
Prof. Park
There are several actresses probably most Americans know from their favorite TV-Shows. Among them are Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Yunjin Kim (Lost) and the half Korean, half African American hip hop artist / actress Amerie. If you love "The Simpsons" you should also know that Korean American writer Daniel Chun is the a co-producer of this show. In terms of official positions, it should not be forgotten that Jay Kim was the first Korean American to be elected to US Congress, and that Danny Chun is a justice at NY State Supreme Court. In terms of contemporary literature, a lot of people probably know Lela Lee's "Angry Little Girls" comic strips.
Speaker
Prof. Park, our listeners and I thank you for having taken the time to tell us more about Korean American History and Culture. Thanks a lot for having taken the time for this interview.
Prof. Park
It was my pleasure. Good night.
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