NAKASEC

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NAKASEC, the "National Korean American Service and Education Consortium," is a pro-illegal immigration advocacy organization that has a history of supporting North Korea.[1],[2] NAKASEC was founded in 1994 to "project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean and Asian Americans within the larger society." According to their website, their "mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice."

NAKASEC’s affiliates are HANA Center (Illinois), Woori Center (Pennsylvania), MinKwon Center for Community Action (New York), Hamkae Center (Virginia), and Woori Juntos (Texas).[3]

NAKASEC focuses on "Immigrant Rights, Civic Engagement, and Parent and Youth Organizing. NAKASEC VA’s organizing work is focused on "the most vulnerable community members" including low-income, recent immigrants, limited English proficient, undocumented, youth, women, and seniors."[4]

NAKASEC was founded by Yoon Han Bong, "the Last Fugitive involved in the May 18th Gwangju People's Uprising of 1980 and primary contributor to the progressive Korean American grassroots movement."[5]

The NAKASEC Action Fund is NAKASEC’s 501(c)(4) advocacy arm.

Officers

NAKASEC officers, as of January 2018;[6]

Board Members

As of January 2018;[7]

Staff

As of January 2018;[8]

Fighting for Illegal Immigration Rally January 16 2018

Pramila Jayapal with DACA activists

On January 17 2018, Pramila Jayapal protested with DACA activists from NAKASEC (Dae Joong Yoon Co-Director, Sam Yu Communications Coordinator), Tony Choi, Rob Bonta, Kevin de Leon, UndocuBlack Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), African Communities Together leader and Local 23 President Bert Bayou and others.[9]

From the Facebook Live Video:

"Community members from the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), the UndocuBlack Network (UBN), Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), African Communities Together and UNITE HERE Local 23 will host a timely press conference denouncing President Trump’s racist statements in his meeting with U.S. Senators last week and call for a DREAM Act that leaves family sponsorship and diversity visa programs intact by January 19th, the deadline for the upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR). In addition to impacted community members and community leaders, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC Immigration Subcommittee Chair Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, California State Senate President pro tempore Kevin de Leon and California Assemblymember and Chair of the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Rob Bonta will participate."

SPEAKERS

NAKASEC Facebook Live Video January 16 2018

The speakers in the order in which they appeared:

October 19, 2017 Gala

Awardees

Host Committee

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Honorary Host Committee

Organizations and Individuals

Waters award

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Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), was awarded the “Standing Up for Justice” recognition by the Korean Resource Center (KRC) and the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium for her commitment to women, children, people of color, and low-income communities during their 34th Annual Gala, October 19, 2017, in Los Angeles.

“It is such a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Korean Resource Center and the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium for my efforts to advocate for minority communities in greater Los Angeles,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “These two organizations have fought tirelessly on behalf of immigrants and people of color, particularly Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Their efforts have strengthened our democracy, and I am so pleased to join with them to celebrate all they have accomplished over the past 34 years.”

During her acceptance speech, Congresswoman Waters discussed recent actions by the Trump Administration that have targeted immigrant communities, most notably the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) which could impact more than 800,00 young people -- 200,000 of which live in California -- and upend the stability of nearly 50,000 school-age children living in Los Angeles County that will become eligible for DACA in future years.

“To all those who have been affected by Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant actions, I want you to know I have your back and so do my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate,” said Congresswoman Waters. “We are fighting every day to hold Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans accountable, and we will continue to push for a bipartisan solution for DACA before the clock runs out.”

KRC is the California affiliate of NAKASEC. Together, the organizations advocate for “just and humane comprehensive immigration reform.”

"The Korean Resource Center and the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium were thrilled to honor Congresswoman Maxine Waters at their Building a Movement for Change Annual Gala on October 19th. Her powerful words were inspiring and clearly moved the audience to want to take action. It was one of the best speeches we have had at our gala in over 34 years," said Becky Belcore, NAKASEC Co-Director.

"Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a fierce advocate for the DREAM Act, immigrant rights and all marginalized communities. Her speech energized us for the fight ahead and we are so proud to have her as our Congresswoman and ally," said Dae Joong Yoon, KRC President.[13]

AAPI defend DACA

On August 31 2017, numerous Asian advocacy groups (AAPI groups) organized in front of the White House to advocate for illegal immigration:[14]

"Leaders from national Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations will gather in support of immigrants to urge President Trump to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The president has threatened to end the program, which would put approximately 800,000 young people at risk of losing their ability to get an education, work and contribute to their communities.

WHO: DACA Beneficiaries

2010 Fundraising Gala

NAKASEC 2010 "Standing up for Justice" awardees were Rep. Judy Chu, and California Comptroller John Chiang.

Asian Americans Demand a Clean DREAM Act

According to communications contacts Michelle Boykins, Marian Manapsal, Sam Yu;

Asian American Immigrant Youth and Allies Convene at the U.S. Capitol to Demand the Passage of a Clean DREAM Act Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, November 15, marks over 2 months since the Trump administration killed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, putting the lives of immigrant youth immediately at risk for detention and deportation.

On November 15, over 120 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrant youth and leaders from across the country will convene to demand that the passing of a clean DREAM Act become Congress’s top priority before the end of the year.

Following the press conference, AAPI leaders will engage in a march and a rally as well as legislative visits urging key congressional targets to pass a clean DREAM Act by December 8th.

When: 11:00 AM ET | Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Where: House Triangle, United States Capitol, Washington, DC 20016

Who:

Chu, Gutierrez, NAKASEC arrestees

Judy Chu with NAKASEC protestors

Nearly 5,000 undocumented young people, immigrant rights advocates, and faith leaders congregated December 6, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Upper Senate Park for a rally in support of a clean DREAM Act and permanent solution for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Events included: stories from directly impacted people, calls to action by members of Congress, and a civil disobedience on the steps of Capitol Hill resulting in the arrest of Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and 182 individuals, five from the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC).

Congresswoman Chu, the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), stated, “There is a bipartisan bill ready to be voted on that I know could gain a majority vote if only Speaker Ryan would let us bring it to the floor. We have tried everything from large scale rallies to a small meeting with the Speaker to make our case. But each time, we have been ignored. Today, I know our words were heard, but will Republicans have the courage to act on them? Our ask is simple: let us vote on the DREAM Act so we can do the right thing for our families, our communities, and our economy.[16]

Maro Park Shares Story with Sen. Cortez Masto

Senator Cortez Masto with Maro Park

As Members of Congress continue their deliberations, impacted Korean and Asian American youth and allies continue their organizing and advocacy to provide a daily reminder that their lives are not bargaining chips.

December 14 2017, Maro Park, Immigrant Rights Project Fellow with NAKASEC, participated in a Facebook live interview with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) where he spoke on his experience as an undocumented young person in the United States.

Park honed in on his expired license as a reminder of his struggles as an undocumented individual. He mentioned how to get around and work in America, one needs to have a vehicle but because he is undocumented, each drive is a risk. “Something as simple as a broken tail light could deport me and separate me from my family,” explained Park as he highlighted how something so ordinary to most is life or death for him and other undocumented youth. “When the DREAM Act finally passes, I can be a part of society that helps America grow and be affluent,” stated Park as he spoke on the important contributions that immigrant youth make to the country.

Senator Cortez Masto affirmed Park’s point on contributions. “We know that if we’re going to deport 800,000 DREAMers, it’s going to have a negative impact on our economy… [DREAMers] are paying taxes, working hard, they’re a part of our growing economy… So, these are the stories, the real stories of people who are contributing and why we need to fight to keep them here,” asserted Senator Cortez Masto.[17]

Comfort Women

in 2007, NAKASEC issued a press release[18] praising Representatives Mike Honda (D – CA) and Lane Evans (D – IL) for passing a "House Resolution Supporting Redress for Former Comfort Women."

"For Immediate Release
"July 30, 2007
"Contacts:
"Becky Belcore, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) (Now the HANA Center)
"Cliff Sukjae Lee, Young Koreans United
"Eun Sook Lee, NAKASEC
"Yu Soung Mun, YKASEC
"Dae Joong Yoon, Korean Resource Center
"Korean American Communities Applaud Passage of House Resolution Supporting Redress for Former Comfort Women
"JOINT STATEMENT ON THE UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN PASSAGE OFHOUSE RESOLUTION 121 By:
"Korean Alliance for Peace and Justice Young Koreans United of USA
"National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
"Korean American Resource & Cultural Center in Chicago
"Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles
"YKASEC – Empowering the Korean American Community in Flushing
"(Los Angeles, CA) House Resolution 121, introduced by Representative Mike Honda (D – CA), states that Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner, refute any claims that the issue of comfort women never occurred, and educate current and future generations “about this horrible crime while following the recommendations of the international community with respect to the ‘comfort women’.” Korean American communities are overjoyed with the news.
"In 2001, Representative Lane Evans (D – IL) introduced the first ever resolution to address comfort women redress. Present on that day to announce the bill’s introduction was the late Soon Duck Kim, former comfort woman and a leading spokesperson from the House of Sharing (collective home for former comfort women based in Kwangju, Korea). Since that historic moment, Rep. Lane Evans and later Rep. Mike Honda have tenaciously re-introduced similar resolutions. After six years, H. Res. 121’s passage brings the former comfort women one step closer to justice.
"About Comfort Women: During WWII, 300,000 women and girls were systematically raped and tortured by the Japanese military. 80% of the women were from Korea. Only 25% are estimated to have survived. Those who lived were often unable to return home out of shame and have lived a life of severe mental and physical trauma. For decades now former comfort women have shared spoken out demanding justice. But despite growing international pressure, Japan has refused to acknowledge its moral and legal responsibility, even omitting facts about wartime atrocities, including sexual slavery, from school textbooks."

2009 15th Anniversary Fundraiser "Rooted in Movement"

Standing Up for Justice Awardee Rep. Luis Gutierrez

In 2009, NAKASEC held a fundraiser called "Rooted in Movement."[19],[20]

Standing Up for Justice Awardees

DREAM In Action Youth Awardees

Host Committee

Virginia DACA press conference

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NAKASEC June 15, 2016;

In celebration of the fourth year anniversary of #DACA, we held a press conference and screening of Halmoni with Delegate Mark Keam, ethnic media reporters, community leaders, and staffers from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Senator Mark Warner, and Congressman Gerry Connolly's offices. It was through the bravery of young people who shared their stories, dared to dream above their challenges and barriers, and their perseverance that DACA was earned and won...

References

  1. ↑ The Spirit of the 5.18 Uprising Blooms Overseas, accessed February 72018
  2. ↑ accessed February 7 2018
  3. ↑ Network (accessed July 25 2022)
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ Celebrating the Life of Late Yoon Han Bong, accessed January 19 2018
  6. ↑ [2]
  7. ↑ [3]
  8. ↑ [4]
  9. ↑ Facebook Live Video, accessed January 19 2018
  10. ↑ When You’re Queer And Undocumented, The DACA Stakes Are Higher, accessed January 19 2018
  11. ↑ Black, Asian, And Latinx Activists Protest Trump’s ‘Shithole’ Comments, accessed January 19 2018
  12. ↑ [5]
  13. ↑ Rep. Waters Receives ‘Standing Up for Justice Award’ at Building a Movement for Change Annual Gala Posted on 10/26/2017
  14. ↑ [http://nakasec.org/7191 Advisory: AAPI groups defend DACA, Accessed January 30 2018
  15. ↑ [http://aapidream.org/24 NAKASEC Asian Americans Convene in DC to Demand a Clean DREAM Act NOVEMBER 10, 2017YONGHO KIM]
  16. ↑ [http://aapidream.org/160 NAKASEC 200 Immigrants Converge on Capitol Hill for Civil Disobedience DECEMBER 6, 2017YONGHO KIM]
  17. ↑ NAKASEC, Maro Park Shares Story with Sen. Cortez Masto DECEMBER 14, 2017YONGHO KIM
  18. ↑ Korean American Communities Applaud Passage of House Resolution Supporting Redress for Former Comfort Women, accessed February 13 2018
  19. ↑ Event: NAKASEC 15th Anniversary Celebration: Rooted in Movement, accessed January 14 2018
  20. ↑ CCC’s Executive Director to Receive “Standing up for Justice” Award from NAKASEC, accessed January 14 2018
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