Korean-Americans want Moon to help nation regain stability
By Jane Han
DALLAS ― As South Korea ends close to a decade of conservative rule and ushers in a new era after liberal President Moon Jae-in took office Wednesday, Koreans in the U.S. expressed high hopes for their mother country and a new generation of Korea-U.S. relations.
''Whether you voted for Moon or not, this is an exciting and crucial turning point for our country,'' said Kim Jin-tae, a 48-year-old software engineer in Los Angeles, who was one of more than 200,000 overseas Koreans ― a record number ― to cast ballots last month for the presidential election.
''Regardless of political affiliation, I think every Korean can agree that we need someone strong, firm and decisive to steer our country out of the current political, social and economic turbulence,'' he said.
Chloe Kim, 34, a postdoctoral researcher at New York University, who admitted to not supporting Moon, said the outcome was disappointing, but still expects better days ahead.
''Look at the situation we were in just months ago,'' she said. ''The candidate I voted for didn't win, but I think the country will still find more stability with a new leader after an unprecedented power vacuum. Many Koreans will have to put their personal preference behind and try to channel as much support for the new administration as possible.''
Official results showed Wednesday that Moon, a former human rights lawyer who advocates engagement with North Korea, garnered 41.1 percent ― about 13.4 million ballots ― of the vote, followed by distant runner-up conservative Hong Joon-pyo with 24.03 percent and centrist Ahn Cheol-soo with 21.4 percent.
Moon's presidency swiftly put an end to the leadership vacuum after Moon's disgraced conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye was removed from office in March on corruption charges.
Among many daunting tasks awaiting the new president, Koreans in the U.S. are most concerned about Seoul's political and economic relations with Washington.
''Geopolitical conditions in Northeast Asia are not looking favorable for South Korea,'' Kim Dong-chan, president of the non-profit group Korean American Civic Empowerment, said. ''This means we need a strong leader with avid diplomatic savvy more than ever.''
Kim Chang-joo, a member of the Korean American Coalition in Los Angeles, said despite a concerning Trump-Moon mix, he hopes the two leaders will figure out a new way to cooperate and expand the alliance between the two countries.
''As Koreans living in the U.S., we need a Korean president who will value and grow this relationship,'' he stressed.
By Jane Han
DALLAS ― As South Korea ends close to a decade of conservative rule and ushers in a new era after liberal President Moon Jae-in took office Wednesday, Koreans in the U.S. expressed high hopes for their mother country and a new generation of Korea-U.S. relations.
''Whether you voted for Moon or not, this is an exciting and crucial turning point for our country,'' said Kim Jin-tae, a 48-year-old software engineer in Los Angeles, who was one of more than 200,000 overseas Koreans ― a record number ― to cast ballots last month for the presidential election.
''Regardless of political affiliation, I think every Korean can agree that we need someone strong, firm and decisive to steer our country out of the current political, social and economic turbulence,'' he said.
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Chloe Kim, 34, a postdoctoral researcher at New York University, who admitted to not supporting Moon, said the outcome was disappointing, but still expects better days ahead.
''Look at the situation we were in just months ago,'' she said. ''The candidate I voted for didn't win, but I think the country will still find more stability with a new leader after an unprecedented power vacuum. Many Koreans will have to put their personal preference behind and try to channel as much support for the new administration as possible.''
Official results showed Wednesday that Moon, a former human rights lawyer who advocates engagement with North Korea, garnered 41.1 percent ― about 13.4 million ballots ― of the vote, followed by distant runner-up conservative Hong Joon-pyo with 24.03 percent and centrist Ahn Cheol-soo with 21.4 percent.
Moon's presidency swiftly put an end to the leadership vacuum after Moon's disgraced conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye was removed from office in March on corruption charges.
Among many daunting tasks awaiting the new president, Koreans in the U.S. are most concerned about Seoul's political and economic relations with Washington.
''Geopolitical conditions in Northeast Asia are not looking favorable for South Korea,'' Kim Dong-chan, president of the non-profit group Korean American Civic Empowerment, said. ''This means we need a strong leader with avid diplomatic savvy more than ever.''
Kim Chang-joo, a member of the Korean American Coalition in Los Angeles, said despite a concerning Trump-Moon mix, he hopes the two leaders will figure out a new way to cooperate and expand the alliance between the two countries.
''As Koreans living in the U.S., we need a Korean president who will value and grow this relationship,'' he stressed.
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