Korean American

A Korean American is a person of Korean ancestry who was either born in or is an immigrant to the United States.

Related Topics:
Korea - United States

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Although there were earlier immigrants to the U.S., Korean immigration to the U.S. is widely accepted as having begun January 13, 1903, when laborers arrived in Hawaii to work on sugar plantations. More began arriving after the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965.

Related Topics:
January 13 - 1903 - Hawaii - Sugar

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As of 2000, Korean Americans numbered some 2.1 million, with large concentrations in California, New York, and New Jersey. In addition, about one-tenth of Korean Americans are adoptees who are or have been raised mainly by white families; they may be found anywhere in the country, and in most cases they do not have Korean names.

Related Topics:
2000 - California - New York - New Jersey - Adoptees

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The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade counted 2,157,498 ethnic Koreans living in the U.S. in 2003. Many of them, however, are students or temporary workers and do not have permanent residence status.

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In 1993, Jay Kim became the first Korean to be electd to the U.S. Congress, while Chang-rae Lee became the first Korean writer to receive the PEN/Hemingway Award in 1995.

Related Topics:
1993 - Jay Kim - Chang-rae Lee - PEN/Hemingway Award - 1995

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For other notable Korean Americans, see the list.

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