CONTACT:
Gie Kim, 202-296-6401

KOREAN AMERICAN COALITION ANNOUNCES 2004 COLLEGE INTERNS
FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. - Four Korean American college students were recently selected to participate in the Korean American Coalition's college internship program in the nation's capital and they will be introduced to the local media on Thursday, 24th at a news conference. Ms. Shinae Chun, one of the highest Korean American government appointees, will be the keynote speaker to congratulate the four interns.

The students - who were chosen through a competitive application process - are part of a national program aimed at placing undergraduates in fields traditionally underrepresented by Korean Americans. Each summer, KAC sends nearly 20 students to political, corporate, legal, and media offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC for an interactive nine-week program. The D.C. component of the program - now in its fourth year - focuses on government as well as private sector internships.

"We're pleased to welcome this talented group of students to Washington, D.C. this summer," said Gie Kim, KAC-DC Executive Vice President. "Grooming the next generation of community leaders is a core element of KAC's mission. Through this program, our four interns will have an opportunity to develop practical leadership skills and gain a deep understanding of the current challenges facing the Korean American community."

This year's four Washington D.C. interns are:

Susan Becker, from Oradell, New Jersey, is a junior at The College of New Jersey. Susan is pursuing a major in International Studies with minors in history, US studies, and French. She is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. As the president of the Korean American Student Association and the founder of a poongmul drum group on her campus, Susan works to spread Korean awareness to her campus community. This summer, Susan is interning at the U.S. House of Representatives in the office of Congressman Edward R. Royce (R-40th/CA).

EunSu Chang, from Flushing, New York, is a rising junior at Williams College. She is currently double majoring in English and Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory. She is an active member in Koreans of Williams. This past year, she served as the liaison between the Asian American Students in Action and the larger Minority Coalition on campus, as well as directed the spring production of the Asian Theatre Project. Having swam competitively in the past, she continues to exercise regularly by playing intramural sports, swimming, playing squash and running. Last summer, she interned at the New York City Law Department, where she assisted members of the Corporation Counsel on cases and accompanied them to court hearings and meetings. This summer, she is interning with the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor.

Ji-Young Moon, from Burke, Virginia, is a rising third year student at the University of Virginia. She is majoring in Foreign Affairs and is planning on attending a law school in the future. She has been active as a member of the Student Council Appropriations Committee, a University Judiciary committee support officer, as well as serving a term as the Japanese Club treasurer and a Young Women Leader's Program mentor. This summer, she is interning in the Committee on House Administration within the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ginger Rose Park, a current student at Montgomery College in Rockville MD, is an intern at the Korean American Coalition-DC Chapter office. An independent film buff, she also attended Columbia College, a private arts school in Chicago with the help of a scholarship from New Trier High School, her alma mater and one of the top high schools in the country. Ginger now plans to pursue an Asian American Studies program in the DC area. " I'm hoping this will be a unique opportunity to learn more about the Korean American community," says Ginger, who's father is Korean and mother is an American Jew. "I really enjoy service work and I think this will afford me the opportunity to further explore a part of my heritage."

As part of the KAC college internship program, all four students will travel to Mount Kare in Wrightwood, CA, from June 12-18, 2004 to attend the annual KAC National College Leadership Conference. They will be among 50 student leaders from around the country who gathered at a conference center to interact with notable community, political and business leaders in the Korean American community and discuss issues impacting the community.

Over the next nine weeks, each student will supplement their work assignment by spending one day a week working on various KAC-DC projects, including assisting the H-Street Project which focuses on increasing understanding and communication between Korean American merchants and their customers in predominantly African American neighborhoods.

In addition, KAC's Washington DC interns will be attending seminars sponsored by KAC-DC to enhance their internship experience and meet role models in various fields. They will also have an opportunity to network at various workshops organized by the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) and the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA).

KAC's internship program ends on Friday, August 6, 2004.

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