By Jane Han
DALLAS — The U.S. presidential election in November is expected to be like no other. As the flamboyant candidates are currently challenging one another on a range of issues from immigration to foreign policy, many say that this year's race is expected to be pivotal not only for Americans, but also for Koreans as well.
A prominent Korean-American political activist says it will also be significant for Koreans in Korea.
"Eligible Korean voters living in the U.S. have the capacity to have an influence on Washington's various policies that directly affect Korea," said Kim Dong-suk, founder and chairman of New York-based Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE), in an interview. "In that sense, this year will be a turning point for all of us."
He said that the ethnic minority vote will become an increasingly decisive factor in changing the outcome of U.S. elections, which means American politicians must appeal to people in all Asian communities, including Koreans.
"Koreans have a reputation for having an above average standard of living and they're known to huddle up and support one particular party," said Kim, "so this gives additional reasons for candidates to go after Korean votes."
As a minority, Koreans appear to largely support the Democrats, but according to Kim, "old timers," who make up the majority of those who actually go out to vote, side with Republicans and their values.
However, regardless of party preferences, Koreans in the U.S. generally unite regarding Washington's foreign policy and stance toward North Korea.
"For Korea, it is crucial that the U.S. design its Northeast Asia policy and framework with South Korea as its top priority. In order to scale back China and Japan's influence on the Korean Peninsula, we need Washington to enforce a Korea-U.S. policy, not U.S.-China or U.S.-Japan policies," he said. "And Koreans in the U.S. can and should play a role in shaping these directions."
Paul Lee, chairman of the Bergen County Republican Committee (KARC), based in New Jersey, agrees that the election should be an opportunity for the Korean Peninsula to get the "fair analysis it deserves."
"The U.S. is now talking to Cuba and Iran," said Lee, who heads the committee that is under the umbrella of a local Republican party organization. "Is North Korea that much more crazy? Have we really made an effort to end the war in Korea? Whoever wins the White House, whether they're a Republican or Democrat, they need to tackle the North Korea issue."
In order for North Korea and the Korean peninsula to get the due attention it deserves, Koreans need to be more vocal, he said.
True, an increasing number of younger Koreans are running for and being elected to public office at the local level, but what matters is the decision of eligible voters who cast their ballots.
"For minorities like Koreans, voting is not an act of choice, but survival," says Kim. "As much as we're seeing a good momentum in Koreans running for office, we must push forward further by voting and making our voice count."
Koreans have come a long way, but Lee says it will take a couple of generations to see effective change.
"Koreans have to do a lot to get a seat at the U.S. political table," he said, "and we need to do even more to sit down. We can't stand and eat. We need to sit down and eat with them, together."
DALLAS — The U.S. presidential election in November is expected to be like no other. As the flamboyant candidates are currently challenging one another on a range of issues from immigration to foreign policy, many say that this year's race is expected to be pivotal not only for Americans, but also for Koreans as well.
A prominent Korean-American political activist says it will also be significant for Koreans in Korea.
"Eligible Korean voters living in the U.S. have the capacity to have an influence on Washington's various policies that directly affect Korea," said Kim Dong-suk, founder and chairman of New York-based Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE), in an interview. "In that sense, this year will be a turning point for all of us."
He said that the ethnic minority vote will become an increasingly decisive factor in changing the outcome of U.S. elections, which means American politicians must appeal to people in all Asian communities, including Koreans.
"Koreans have a reputation for having an above average standard of living and they're known to huddle up and support one particular party," said Kim, "so this gives additional reasons for candidates to go after Korean votes."
As a minority, Koreans appear to largely support the Democrats, but according to Kim, "old timers," who make up the majority of those who actually go out to vote, side with Republicans and their values.
However, regardless of party preferences, Koreans in the U.S. generally unite regarding Washington's foreign policy and stance toward North Korea.
"For Korea, it is crucial that the U.S. design its Northeast Asia policy and framework with South Korea as its top priority. In order to scale back China and Japan's influence on the Korean Peninsula, we need Washington to enforce a Korea-U.S. policy, not U.S.-China or U.S.-Japan policies," he said. "And Koreans in the U.S. can and should play a role in shaping these directions."
Paul Lee, chairman of the Bergen County Republican Committee (KARC), based in New Jersey, agrees that the election should be an opportunity for the Korean Peninsula to get the "fair analysis it deserves."
"The U.S. is now talking to Cuba and Iran," said Lee, who heads the committee that is under the umbrella of a local Republican party organization. "Is North Korea that much more crazy? Have we really made an effort to end the war in Korea? Whoever wins the White House, whether they're a Republican or Democrat, they need to tackle the North Korea issue."
In order for North Korea and the Korean peninsula to get the due attention it deserves, Koreans need to be more vocal, he said.
True, an increasing number of younger Koreans are running for and being elected to public office at the local level, but what matters is the decision of eligible voters who cast their ballots.
"For minorities like Koreans, voting is not an act of choice, but survival," says Kim. "As much as we're seeing a good momentum in Koreans running for office, we must push forward further by voting and making our voice count."
Koreans have come a long way, but Lee says it will take a couple of generations to see effective change.
"Koreans have to do a lot to get a seat at the U.S. political table," he said, "and we need to do even more to sit down. We can't stand and eat. We need to sit down and eat with them, together."
![[INTERVIEW] Virtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/bcc387606cf7451c94f51a5978960c9f.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
