By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Presidential aspirants should present a clear vision for bolstering the Korea-U.S. alliance in the December presidential election, said a Korean-American politician.
John Lim, 71, Oregon state representative, told The Korea Times that the importance of building solid ties with America cannot be overemphasized.
``As America is one of Korea's core allies, the next government should find a way to strengthen the bilateral relations, while seeking expanding diplomatic ties with other nations,'' he stressed.
Lim visited Seoul for a four-day forum designed for overseas Korean politicians organized by the Overseas Koreans Foundation affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The businessman-turned-lawmaker said that a presidential candidate who presented a feasible roadmap for the vibrant economy, strong public education and ecology should be elected in the presidential election on Dec. 19.
Lim deserves to be called the personification of the American dream.
Since he was elected Oregon State senator of District 11 in 1992, Lim has become the longest serving member including the House and Senate of the State of Oregon.
``It was trust which I have built during my past four-decades in America that helped me win the elective position in a state where the Korean population stands at merely 0.7 percent among the entire constituents,'' said Lim.
A native of Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, Lim was born and reared in Korea.
He emigrated to the U.S. to seek his education at the age of 31 and settled there after completing his master's degree in divinity studies at the Western Evangelical Seminary, Portland, Ore.
``In my 30s, I had to do a variety of manual labor work, such as a cleaner, for a living,'' the lawmaker said.
``My life began to change during my 40s. I founded the American Royal Jelly Company and had a grocery chain having eight stores in the region. I invested money in real estate and was able to make a fortune through these businesses. Stable income and a secure life came as a result.''
Lim said it was during his 50s when he began searching for his role in the community.
Lim shared his time and capital with the community by offering scholarships to students from low-income families and served as president of several societies composed of Korean-Americans and other Asians.
``I plucked up the courage to run for the election for the state governorship in 1990. Then I was 55 years old. I went for the election, not because I saw the possibility of winning, but because of my name recognition to the state's residents,'' he said.
Lim recalled he lost the election but still gained in the long run.
Many state residents came to know who he was through the campaigning, which definitely helped him win the state senate election in 1992.
``If you work hard, you will never be left behind in the U.S. As long as you are dedicated and build trust among community members, you will certainly be successful,'' he said.
He plans to run for the election for the state governorship again in 2010.