Young Kim

Young Kim – Life, Career, and Notable Insights

Explore the life and career of Young Kim (née Choe Young-oak), a South Korean–born American politician and businesswoman. Learn about her early life, political journey, principles, and notable statements.

Introduction

Young Kim (Korean name: Choe Young-oak; born October 18, 1962) is a South Korean–born American politician and businesswoman who serves as a U.S. Representative from California. Though born in South Korea, her political career has been in the United States, and she is among the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress. Her journey—from immigrant to public officeholder—reflects both personal perseverance and dedication to public service.

Early Life and Background

• Birth & Origins
  Young Kim was born on October 18, 1962 in Incheon, South Korea (sometimes spelled “Inchon”).

• Childhood & Migration
  Her family moved from South Korea during her youth. She spent time in Guam, where she completed junior high school, and later relocated to Hawaii, where she attended high school.

• Education
  Young Kim earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1985.

Her early life experience as an immigrant and her exposure to different cultures appear to have shaped her perspective on community, identity, and public service.

Early Career and Political Entry

• Private Sector & Business
  After graduating, Kim worked as a financial analyst and later as a controller in the clothing industry. She also operated a small business.

• Association with Rep. Ed Royce
  Young Kim worked for U.S. Representative Ed Royce for over two decades (roughly 1992–2013) as director of community relations and Asian affairs.

• Media & Community Presence
  During her tenure with Royce, she also engaged with the community via her own media platforms — hosting shows such as “LA Seoul with Young Kim” and “Radio Seoul”, where she addressed issues relevant to Korean Americans.

Her years working behind the scenes gave her deep familiarity with constituent relations, policy concerns, and community dynamics—preparing her for elected office.

Political Career & Achievements

California State Assembly (2014–2016)

In 2014, Young Kim successfully ran for the California State Assembly, representing District 65 (northern Orange County). She defeated the incumbent, Sharon Quirk-Silva, in that election.

However, in 2016, she sought re-election and lost the rematch to Quirk-Silva.

During her Assembly campaign and term, she took positions on issues such as tax policy, education, and social legislation—including debates over restroom access laws for transgender students.

U.S. House of Representatives (2021–Present)

After a defeat in 2018 (running for California’s 39th district), Young Kim mounted a rematch in 2020 and won, unseating the incumbent Gil Cisneros. She thus became one of the first Korean-American women elected to the U.S. Congress.

With redistricting, she now represents California’s 40th Congressional District, which includes parts of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.

Committee Assignments & Focus Areas

In Congress, Young Kim serves on prominent committees including:

• Financial Services Committee

• Foreign Affairs Committee, where she chairs the Subcommittee on East Asia & the Pacific

She also serves on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

Her legislative priorities have included issues such as U.S.–Asia relations, economic development, immigrant communities, and bipartisan governance.

Personality, Approach & Style

Young Kim is often viewed as a pragmatic, moderately conservative Republican who emphasizes service, community ties, and bipartisan cooperation.

Her background as an immigrant and long association with community affairs infuse her public persona with empathy, persistence, and grassroots awareness. She balances her ideological positions with pragmatic legislative goals, often positioning herself as a bridge between constituencies.

She is also recognized for high constituent engagement and responsiveness, particularly to immigrant and Asian American communities in her districts.

Selected Public Statements & Views

While not known for pithy catchphrases, here are a few positions or statements that reflect her values:

• On bipartisan leadership: She has been ranked as one of the more bipartisan members of Congress, reflecting her willingness to work across party lines.

• On foreign policy & Asia: As chair of a subcommittee in Foreign Affairs, she often emphasizes strengthening ties between the U.S. and East Asia and drawing attention to regional security issues.

• On representation & immigrant identity: She has spoken about her own immigrant journey and how it grounds her commitment to opportunity, fairness, and inclusion in her legislative work.