"We're Tough... Don't Mess With Us" Korean-American Lawmaker Issues Warning on Hate Crimes

The photo shows Congresswoman Michelle Park Steel (left) and Congresswoman Young Kim. Photo by Michelle Park Steel Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "We are tough cookies. It’s best not to mess with us."

Young Kim (59, Korean name Kim Young-ok), a U.S. Republican federal congresswoman, said this during a CNN interview aired on the 21st (local time) alongside fellow Republican Congresswoman Michelle Park Steel (66, Korean name Park Michelle).

The two lawmakers raised their voices condemning hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, which have recently become a serious social issue in the U.S. In particular, they appeared together as witnesses at a House hearing held to highlight discrimination and violence against Asian Americans following the Atlanta shooting tragedy, strongly urging an end to the violence.

CNN reported on the story of how these two immigrant women entered politics and have now established themselves as leading Asian American Republican lawmakers.

According to the broadcast, Congresswomen Kim and Park have been close friends for 30 years, becoming acquainted in the mid-1980s through their husbands, and have since developed a special bond by raising their children together and going on vacations.

However, Kim entered politics slightly earlier. Born in Korea and raised in Guam, USA, Kim settled in Los Angeles after earning an MBA degree. She developed her political skills by working for 21 years starting in 1990 as a staffer for Ed Royce, a pro-Korea former congressman representing California. She was elected last year in the same district as former Congressman Royce.

Park, who immigrated to the U.S. at age 19, initially had no intention of entering politics. Her interest in politics was sparked when her mother, who ran a sandwich shop, received an unfair tax notice. Park has won five consecutive elections, including last year’s congressional race, earning her the nickname "Queen of Elections" in the Korean American community.

CNN noted that amid the worsening violence targeting Asians due to the spread of COVID-19, the two longtime friends greatly benefit from being able to rely on each other.

Kim said, "We always feel that the Asian American community, especially the Korean American community, is our second constituency," adding, "We must represent them well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.