FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Korean American Pioneer Council Honors 80th Anniversary of Korean Independence
Commemorative Newsletter, Art, and Community Campaign Replace Canceled USC Event
Los Angeles, CA – July 17, 2025 – The Korean American Pioneer Council (KAPC) announces a meaningful alternative to its originally planned in-person program at USC, following notice from USC Libraries that event hosting has been suspended for the remainder of 2025 due to university-wide financial constraints.
While the September 19, 2025 reception at Doheny Memorial Library will no longer take place, KAPC is proud to move forward with a series of impactful initiatives commemorating Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule and celebrating the legacy of Korean American pioneers and their descendants.
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📬 2025 COMMEMORATIVE PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
•Printed Newsletter (Coming August 2025)
A full-length commemorative issue featuring messages from Consul General Kim Youngwan, USC Korean Heritage Library contributors (Dr. Ken Klein, Joy Kim, Jungeun Hong), community tributes, and historical content.
•Limited-Edition T-Shirts
Two original designs available for a $35 donation (plus postage):
• A pre-WWII Koreatown map hand-drawn by Colonel Young Oak Kim
• Original 80th Anniversary artwork by Gary Green, an Inglewood-based Korean American artist
The Gary Green piece will be offered on loan to the Korean Consulate General, with a later permanent home at the USC Korean Heritage Library.
•Website Refresh
Launching Spring 2026, the updated http://www.OfficialKAPC.org will feature digital access to the newsletter, donation options, and historical archives.
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“Although we’re unable to gather in person this year, our mission remains strong,” said Alex S. Chang, President of KAPC. “We’re proud to honor the sacrifices of Korean American pioneers and bring their stories to the public in meaningful, lasting ways.”
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📞 +1 323 515 2145
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About the Korean American Pioneer Council (KAPC):
Founded in 1995, KAPC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and history of early Korean immigrants and independence activists. Through newsletters, oral history archives, public outreach, and educational programs, KAPC keeps the stories of the Korean American pioneer generation alive for future generations.