Season of Gratitude. In this final issue of 2024, our CKA team is actively closing out a busy year before the holidays and celebrating another season of progress for our national Korean American community.
As you can see below, Korean Americans are making important strides these last few weeks of the year. Congratulations to Charles Jung for making history in San Francisco legal community.
We want to thank all of you, our readers, for following us each month as we report on the many ways CKA members, our valued supporters, and the broader Korean American community are making a positive change and contribution to their region and sectors nationwide.
We wish you and your family a restful and memorable holiday season and a prosperous new year. We look forward to continuing to inform and serve all of you in 2025. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Charles H. Jung Makes History at the Bar Association of San Francisco
CKA Member Charles H. Jung is stepping into his role as the incoming President of the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF), making history as the first Korean American to hold this position since the organization’s founding in 1872. This leadership transition marks a new chapter of growth, diversity, and impactful action within the legal community.
Jinhee Ahn Kim Co-Founds Atropos – Advancing Cybersecurity Solutions for Renewable Energy
Jinhee Ahn Kim recently co-founded Atropos, a cybersecurity company dedicated to safeguarding the rapidly growing renewable energy sector. As co-founder and CEO, she leads a team of security experts working to protect critical energy infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated threats.
Jinhee attended BlackHat and DefCon in Las Vegas, where Atropos’ CTO presented his cutting-edge research on hacking ransomware gangs and disrupting EV chargers and PV panels.
Monica H. Kang Honored with 40 Under 40 Award for Community Development
Monica H. Kang was honored with a 40 Under 40 Award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in November 2024. This award recognizes national leaders for their dedicated work, impactful projects and inspiring collaborations. Kang is celebrated for her community development and leadership work in groups DC like at TEDxLogan Circle, DC Women Techmakers, and more.
David J. Lee to Deliver Keynote at Variety’s 2025 Entertainment Summit at CES
David J. Lee, CFO & COO of WEBTOON Entertainment, will deliver a keynote address at Variety’s 2025 Entertainment Summit at CES. He will discuss how webcomics, embraced by Gen Z audiences around the world, are transforming the global entertainment market and inspiring new franchises across formats. With over 170 million monthly active users and a thriving ecosystem of creators, WEBTOON Entertainment’s success underscores the power of innovative storytelling and cross-platform adaptation.
David Namkung Named to Intersect Illinois Board of Directors
David Namkung, founder and managing partner at Clarity Partners, was named to the Intersect Illinois Board of Directors. A proven leader in management and technology consulting, he brings a strong track record of fostering economic growth and opportunity in Illinois.
Dr. Kee Park Discusses Global Neurosurgery at the Sir Victor Horsley Lecture
Dr. Kee Park is set to speak at the annual Sir Victor Horsley Memorial Lecture, honoring one of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery’s most influential figures.
On February 13, 2025, Dr. Park will discuss the emerging field of Global Neurosurgery and its impact on modern neurosurgical practices. His presentation will explore its origins, development, key milestones and contributors, as well as future prospects for achieving equity in neurosurgery.
2024 CKA Envision Gala & Summit: Celebrating a Legacy of Hope
In November, over 500 community members—both long-standing members of the CKA community and new supporters—gathered at the 2024 CKA Envision Gala & Summit, making it one of our most impactful events yet. Collectively, we surpassed the $1 million fundraising mark for the first time. From the opening reception at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to the Summit’s thought-provoking discussions to the Gala’s heartfelt tributes, the event honored our shared past while inspiring a bold, inclusive future.
The Gala paid tribute to our exceptional honorees: Bill Kim, Catherine Kim, Paul Kim, and Kristen Kish, whose achievements shape and strengthen the growing legacy of Korean American leadership. A highlight of the evening was hearing from Andy Kim, the first Korean American U.S. Senator, whose words underscored the community’s progress and the opportunities ahead.
This historic gathering reflected the growing influence and unity of the Korean American community, as leaders, advocates, and supporters connected to explore pathways for increased representation and influence. Together, we are building a legacy of hope and empowerment for generations to come.
Festive Gatherings Across CKA’s Regional Chapters
This December, CKA Regional Chapters celebrated the holiday season with warmth, connection, and reflection. On December 13, the CKA Boston Chapter convened for a holiday party graciously hosted by CKA member Sue Kim and her husband Stephen Kim in Winchester, Massachusetts. Boston Steering Committee members joined local members, families, and prospective member for an evening of great food, spirited conversations, and a lively Yankee Swap that brought everyone together in the holiday spirit.
The CKA SoCal Chapter also embraced the festivities with three gatherings, each fostering community in its own way. Members met with Los Angeles Consul General of the Republic of Korea Youngwan Kim over a luncheon, strengthening ties with local leaders and acknowledging the region’s growing Korean American influence. A casual holiday happy hour, hosted by Esther Song, Tad Yo, and Angela Killoren, reunited CKA members and NetKAL alumni. Finally, the SoCal Steering Committee’s holiday dinner offered a chance to reflect on the chapter’s first year and make plans for 2025.
As the year drew to a close, CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim embraced the season of gratitude, reflecting on the community’s accomplishments of 2024 and expressing his appreciation to the staff, vendors, members, and supporters who made it a year of meaningful impact. He began the month in Washington, D.C., sharing holiday cheer and acknowledging the efforts that have advanced CKA’s mission.
Abe also spent time in Houston, Texas this month, where he served as the keynote speaker at the Consulate General of the ROK in Houston’s annual Korean American Young Professional Forum. This visit allowed him to connect with Texas-based CKA members and NetKAL alumni, including Randy Sim and Christopher Kwon, as well as David Kim. Abe also took the opportunity to meet with local officials preparing for the influx of investment from Samsung’s semiconductor initiatives, discussing the promise this brings for economic growth and innovation.
December is winding down, and Abe is focused on preparing for 2025, laying the groundwork for the New Year’s priorities and initiatives. With a new energy and heart full of gratitude, he is ready to lead CKA toward even greater impact in the coming year.