16 Facts About Jay Kim

Jay Chang Joon Kim is a Korean-American politician and former member of the US House of Representatives from California.

Jay Kim was the first Korean American to be elected to the United States Congress.

Jay Kim was born in 1939 in Keijo, Keiki-do, Korea, Empire of Japan.

Jay Kim later earned a doctorate in political science from Hanyang University.

In 1976, Kim started JAYKIM Engineers, a firm that specializes in designing highways and water reclamation projects.

Jay Kim built the business into a firm of 130 employees, with offices in three western states.

Jay Kim was elected to the city council of Diamond Bar, a newly incorporated suburb of Los Angeles, in 1990 and was elected mayor the following year.

Jay Kim was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 as a Republican from the newly created 41st District, making him the first Korean American elected to the United States Congress.

Jay Kim came under scrutiny for campaign donations, eventually pleading guilty to accepting $230,000 in illegal donations, which amounted to one-third of all donations to his 1992 campaign.

Jay Kim sought to win election in the 42nd District in 2000.

Jay Kim was defeated in the primary by Elia Pirozzi, who in turn was defeated by incumbent Joe Baca.

In recent years, Jay Kim has focused on improving relations and business opportunities between the US and South Korea.

Jay Kim has served as chairman of The Washington Korean-American Forum think tank since 2007.

Jay Kim regularly contributes articles to The Korea Times, JoongAng Ilbo, and The Korea Economic Daily, and is the honorary Ambassador of Gyeonggi Province.

Jay Kim presented that North Korea's current economic difficulties make for a golden time for US-North Korea dialogue, and the US Strategic Perseverance Policy will bring about North Korean Ballistic Missile Provocation.

Jay Kim stated, "Peace is not made with words, but made with strength, through consistent efforts for strengthening the alliance between Korea-US".