Maryland celebrates 120 years of Korean immigration to the US

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who will be termed out of office later this month, hosted his final Korean American Day Reception at the State House Friday. He was joined by First Lady Yumi Hogan to commemorate 120 years since the first Korean immigrants came to the United States in 1903.

“What began with the arrival of 100 Korean immigrants to Hawaii in 1903 has grown into a thriving population of more than 1.8 million Korean Americans who currently live, work, and raise families in the United States today,” said Hogan.

“Maryland has always been immensely proud of the special relationship we share with the Republic of Korea, which we’ve been working to strengthen through trade missions, sister-state relationships, educational partnerships, and opening one of the very few official Koreatowns in the United States.”

“What began with the arrival of 100 Korean immigrants to Hawaii in 1903 has grown into a thriving population of more than 1.8 million Korean Americans who currently live, work, and raise families in the United States today,” said Hogan.

“Maryland has always been immensely proud of the special relationship we share with the Republic of Korea, which we’ve been working to strengthen through trade missions, sister-state relationships, educational partnerships, and opening one of the very few official Koreatowns in the United States.” 

Hogan presented a proclamation declaring Friday, January 13, 2023 Korean American Day in Maryland. The proclamation was presented to General Counsel Sei-Choong Kwon in acknowledgment of the invaluable contributions of the Korean American community to Maryland and the United States.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan hosted his final Korea Day.

During his two terms in office, his administration has grown Maryland’s economic relationship with the Republic of Korea. During a trade mission to Asia in September 2022, Hogan met with President Yoon Suk-yeol at the presidential office in Seoul, chairman of Hyundai, leaders of KOTRA, and a number of distinguished business leaders to discuss ways to expand Korean business investment in the state.

In addition, the governor announced that the Maryland Department of Commerce will open a new foreign trade office in South Korea, which will join Maryland’s network of 18 existing trade offices around the world.

Amid a national rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, Hogan announced the formation of the Asian American Hate Crimes Workgroup to address this rise in anti-Asian activity, prevent acts of violence, and to support victims and witnesses.

The State of Maryland committed $250,000 to help complete the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which lists the 36,574 members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed in action.

In October 2021, Governor Hogan opened Maryland’s Koreatown, a five-mile stretch along Route 40 in Ellicott City that is home to 170 Korean businesses and nearly 12,000 Korean Americans.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Maryland launches initiatives to help fight hate crimes against Asians and AAPI

SCREEN CAPTURE

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and his family.

Maryland launched a new initiative to combat the rising number of crimes directed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced  Saturday (Oct. 15) a series of statewide actions to combat the rise in anti-Asian hate and bias crimes, including enhanced safety and enforcement measures, more robust community resources, and steps to empower educators and students. 

“The actions we are announcing here today are the beginning,” said Hogan. “We will use every tool at our disposal to help provide additional protection to those who are impacted by these crimes. I want to sincerely thank all the members of the workgroup for agreeing to serve this important mission at such a critical time. 

The Republican governor thanked his wife, Yumi Hogan, who is Korean American, and daughter, Jaymi Sterling, for bringing the issue of anti-Asian hate to his attention.

“It was actually Jaymi’s idea to create this work group to address the alarming rise of racist rhetoric, vitriol and harassment against Asian Americans.”

Sterling is a member of the Asian American Hate Crimes Workgroup. She’s also an assistant state’s attorney in Anne Arundel County. Sterling said Asian Americans across the country “are under attack.”

“We want the victims of these crimes to know, we see you. We hear you. And we’re here and we’re standing with you,” added Sterling.

Hogan was also joined for Saturday’s announcements by former U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur, chairman of the governor’s Asian American Hate Crimes Workgroup, and members of the workgroup. The governor announced the establishment of the workgroup in April in response to the rise in violence and discrimination targeting the Asian American community. Nearly one-third of Asian Americans have experienced discrimination in some form over the course of the pandemic.

“To make things better, to reduce ignorance and hate, we need concrete action informed by careful thought, analysis, and consideration of different perspectives,” said Hur. 

Former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur chairs Maryland's Asian American Hate Crimes Work Group.

Building on the workgroup’s efforts, the governor is advancing immediate actions to support Asian American students, businesses, and families: 

Public Safety and Enforcement

• Updating hate and bias training for law enforcement agencies to include reporting of hate and bias incidents and crimes. 
• Designating a Maryland State Police commander to act as liaison for hate crimes and racially biased incidents, and launching a partnership between the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC) and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI) to share data.
• Encouraging state and local law enforcement agencies to prioritize diversity in recruiting, and offering incentives for officers who are proficient in multiple languages.
• Providing $1 million in funding to provide devices with translation apps (i.e. Google Translate) for law enforcement and victims services organizations.
• Calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to expedite guidance for the implementation of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

Community Resources

• Increasing Protecting Against Hate Crimes funding from $3 million to $5 million—a 67% increase—and directing the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs to conduct aggressive outreach efforts regarding the availability of funding.
• Making 211 Maryland a resource for reporting hate and bias incidents and providing information about services and resources in Asian languages.
• Launching an online resource center, and publishing a guide for How To Report Hate Crimes & Incidents available in Asian languages.
• Developing alternative reporting channels, including community organizations, nonprofits, and faith centers.

Educators and Students

• Directing the Maryland Center for School Safety to develop resources for educators, parents, and students on how to identify and report hate and bias incidents.
• Engaging with the Maryland State Department of Education on developing a Continuing Professional Development offering on Asian American history for teachers.
• Working with the University System of Maryland to explore scholarships and fellowships through the Merrill College of Journalism to encourage more Asian-American participation in journalism.
• Provide education resources online for educators and members of the public.