LOKA-USA’s Brief History

The League of Korean Americans, USA (LOKA-USA), Inc., was established in 1980 in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, by prominent Korean American community leaders to protect Korean Americans from racism and discrimination that existed in the United States for many years.  The founders actively participated in assessing and responding to important legislation that affected Korean Americans, as well as disseminating information on political views and policy agenda.  On many occasions, these leaders were also testifying at congressional hearings on important legislation concerning Korean American issues.

As circumstances within American society were undergoing a revolution, the public attitudes toward immigrants of different ancestry were changing as well.  So too did LOKA-USA’s mission and goals.  In 1994, LOKA-USA was formally recognized as a non-profit, non-partisan, educational and charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code 501 (c) (3), as a tax-exempt organization.  The goals and objectives of the organization were then focusing on educating its members and local communities to be good citizens of our newly adopted country.  LOKA-USA accomplished this through providing seminars and symposiums at the grassroots level within the local Korean American communities. 

By initiating educational programs to the public in areas of health, education, business opportunities, environment, the political process, understanding the beneficial activities of local, state and federal government, and organizing a meeting for Governor’s Minority Outreach Programs, LOKA-USA became an even more invaluable and vital organization to the community.  It also provided job training opportunities, job fairs, income tax preparation services, scholarships, voter registrations, citizenship drives, trade and patent classes, crime prevention meetings with local police chiefs, and interpretation and translation services for parents and public schools. 

LOKA-USA also took parts in activities such as participating at the Annual Countywide  Fairs to introduce Korean Traditional Foods, culture and custom to the American public, washing cars to raise funds for reconstruction of local Fire Station, participating at the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation  Walk-A-Thon to raise funds to cure Diabetes, participating in Peaceful Rally against the Neo-Nazi’s march against Immigrants, helping homeless at the So Others Might Eat and Martha’s Table, holding Member-organized Golf tournaments and organizing Korean War Veterans “Armistice Day” Luncheon

LOKA-USA also formed a coalition with other ethnic organizations and groups to create a unification of purpose.  This activity allows us to become a more effective and influential block of voters within the American political arena.  LOKA-USA developed plans to organize and participate in Town Meetings, Citizens’ Participation at public hearings of local government and public schools, other pertinent political activities and US Congressional and State Candidate Debates, to help maintain its political posture.

While LOKA-USA works hand-in-hand with other local ethnic groups, such as Asian Pacific American, African American, Hispanic American, Jewish American and Middle Easterner American, the board of directors diligently worked on the expansion of its position nationally.  In 1999, representatives from California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington, DC, gathered at the McLean Hilton Hotel in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, for its inaugural National Conference that put LOKA-USA on a national level.

At the Year 2000 National Conference, the assembled delegation decided to elect new officers to lead the national organization for year 2001-2002 term.  The Chairman, Peter Shin, President, Kim Miller and seven Vice Presidents, Young Dae Cha (MD), Yong Hee Cho (NY), In Chul Chung (CA), Jae Ho Jang (VA), Hong Kim (DC), Jae Sook Kim (NJ) and Song Kun Kim (MA) were elected to serve the national organization more effectively.  More importantly, the delegation set its six National Goals, Projects, and Programs for the next two years. 

First, to be more cohesive by reaching out to other states and establishing a regional network.  It will expand local chapters nationwide, divide work regionally and begin contacting neighboring states for expansion and scouting or recruiting for new leaders.

Second, to take advantage of high technology to advance forward by establishing chapter web sites and disseminating information and network via email.

Third, to provide monetary resources, pursue Federal, State and Local Grants, Endowment Programs and have donors select the organization to be the beneficiary of their Life Insurance.

Forth, to make a unifying presence and create a more powerful voice for our communities, we will focus our efforts on increasing the number of Korean American voters throughout the United States.  To accomplish this, we will conduct national campaigns to register over 10,000 voters.  Also, to educate the public about the importance of exercising their Voting Rights.

Fifth, to increase the number of U.S. citizens who can be qualified to vote, conduct nationwide campaigns to obtain 10,000 new citizenship registrants by providing application preparation services, examination preparation classes and educating the public about the importance of obtaining citizenship

Lastly, to duplicate the successful programs already in action nationwide, thereby reducing redundant efforts.  By streamlining the activities of chapters, we can share and exchange information and ideas between the chapters and become more efficient in how we accomplish our mutual goals.

Currently, all chapter organizations are working diligently toward reaching its projected goals.  The National Delegation will meet again at its National Conference and Awards Banquet, which will be held on the first Sunday in December every year in Virginia.  For more information about LOKA-USA’s events and functions, or if you wish to establish a new local or state chapter, please contact 703-585-9594, or email us at LOKAUSA@acninc.net.

Membership is open to anyone over 18-years-old regardless of his or her race.  If an individual is interested in making a positive difference in their lives, or the lives of other people in their local communities, we welcome their membership in LOKA-USA Inc.