LAX Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 27, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the United States Capitol as a member of the Escort Committee. President Yoon’s visit marks the first state visit to Washington D.C. by a South Korean leader in 12 years and comes in time for the 70th anniversary of the US-ROK alliance. 

“It is an honor to serve on the Escort Committee for President Yoon’s historic visit to the United States – marking over a decade since a South Korean president has visited our country,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). “As the representative of Koreatown in Los Angeles, home to the largest Korean diaspora community in the United States, I have made it a priority to strengthen the ironclad bond between our two nations. The US – ROK alliance remains critical to securing peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as well as building stronger economies, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting human rights. I am proud to join a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to mark the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and I look forward to discussing ways we can deepen our partnership for decades to come.” 

Rep. Gomez has invited Tammy Kim, the Vice Mayor of Irvine, Steve Kang, the Director of External Affairs of KYCC, and James An, the President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, to join him as his special guests for President Yoon’s Joint Address to Congress. 

“The bond between the United States and S. Korea is a cornerstone of global stability and prosperity,” said Tammy Kim, Vice Mayor of Irvine. “This relationship is of great importance and significance, not only to the two nations but to the world at large. Our two countries have a long history of cooperation and partnership and our enduring friendship will remain essential to achieving a peaceful and prosperous future for all. I greatly appreciate Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s commitment to the Korean American community and am grateful for his invitation.”  

“The historic joint congressional address by ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol is a testament to the strength of the bilateral relations between our two countries,” said Steve Kang, Director of External Affairs at Koreatown Youth and Community Center. “I especially want to applaud Congressman Jimmy Gomez for his steadfast leadership in representing the largest Korean American community in the country and for escorting President Yoon during his visit to the Congress.” 

“As the representative voice of over 500,000 Korean Americans of Greater Los Angeles, we are honored to be included in this momentous occasion with President Yoon Suk Yeol that celebrates the significance of the US–ROK alliance and reaffirms the enduring ties between our two countries,” said James An, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA). “I commend Congressman Gomez for commemorating the 70th Mutual Defense Treaty and for strengthening our shared commitment to promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and worldwide.  I would also like to give special thanks to Rep. Gomez for his unwavering support and partnership with the entire Korean American community.” 

The members of the bipartisan Escort Committee include Sens. Durbin, Klobuchar, Baldwin, Murray, Menendez, McConnell, Thune, Ernst, Capito, Daines, Risch and Reps. Jeffries, Clark, Aguilar, Lieu, DelBene, Clyburn, Meng, Gomez, Andy Kim, Strickland, Scalise, Emmer, Stefanik, McCaul, Wilson, Carter, Hill, Young Kim, McClain, Steel. 

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Congressman Gomez is proud to represent the largest population of Koreans and Korean Americans in the United States and has fought to ensure this thriving community receives the recognition, support, and funding it deserves. 

In January 2023, Rep. Gomez led 87 of his House colleagues in a resolution celebrating Korean American Day, which this year marks the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States on January 13, 1903. At this press conference, Rep. Gomez announced his plan to dedicate a post office in the heart of Koreatown after prominent Korean American leader and activist Dosan Ahn Changho. 

In the FY2022 Appropriations package, Rep. Gomez secured $7 million for the creation of the Korean American National Museum in Los Angeles – the first museum in the nation dedicated to honoring over a century of Korean American history and culture. 

Rep. Gomez also secured House passage of his bipartisan resolution honoring the contributions of Korean and Korean American veterans who served in the Vietnam War, and was an original cosponsor of the Korean American Valor Act, which grants Korean American veterans of the Vietnam War access to health care and medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.     

Original source can be found here.