The first nationwide comprehensive survey of the Korean community in the U.S.

1. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.orgKANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Korean American NationalKorean American National
Survey (KANS) 2008Survey (KANS) 2008
University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
Center for Asian Pacific LeadershipCenter for Asian Pacific Leadership

2. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
► “It is only 3 minutes a lobbyist can really talk to law making
politicians. Credible data is critical in advocating the
Korean community in America in such a short time.”
► “Power of Koreans in American market is much more than
you can imagine. Only with statistics, we can show the real
power of Korean communities as consumers, as well as
business partners. Building reliable data is something we
should do in the 100 year of immigrant history of Koreans.”
► “The percentage of adoptees in Korean American society is
more than 10%. It is a very significant change that the
adoptees, who were mostly unrecognized until now, are
included in the survey for Koreans in America for the first
time.”

3. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Survey ObjectiveSurvey Objective
► The firstThe first nationwidenationwide comprehensive survey of the Koreancomprehensive survey of the Korean
community in the U.S.community in the U.S.
► To create a credible evidence to claim rights and needs ofTo create a credible evidence to claim rights and needs of
Koreans in America to the U.S. government as well asKoreans in America to the U.S. government as well as
Korean governmentKorean government
 Ex) Based on the Latino survey with 8000 participants, budgets forEx) Based on the Latino survey with 8000 participants, budgets for
Latino welfare in the U.S. government has enormously increasedLatino welfare in the U.S. government has enormously increased
► To acknowledge influence of Korean community in AmericaTo acknowledge influence of Korean community in America
► To suggest a vision for Korean Politicians, companies, andTo suggest a vision for Korean Politicians, companies, and
social groups, based on the current outlook of the Koreansocial groups, based on the current outlook of the Korean
communitycommunity
► To investigate Transnational tendency in Korean AmericanTo investigate Transnational tendency in Korean American

4. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Survey ObjectiveSurvey Objective
► To shape the aggregate definition of “Korean-American” byTo shape the aggregate definition of “Korean-American” by
including 2including 2ndnd
, 3, 3rdrd
generations, half-Koreans and adoptees asgenerations, half-Koreans and adoptees as
subjects of survey, not only 1subjects of survey, not only 1stst
generationsgenerations
► To provide a broader and in-depth diagnosis on politicalTo provide a broader and in-depth diagnosis on political
and economic propensity, and cultural, health, welfareand economic propensity, and cultural, health, welfare
conditions of Korean community in Americaconditions of Korean community in America
► To help various Korean communities self-assess byTo help various Korean communities self-assess by
regions and by groups (with provided group code)regions and by groups (with provided group code)
► To expand political network of Koreans in AmericaTo expand political network of Koreans in America

5. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Survey DesignSurvey Design
► Section 1: DemographicsSection 1: Demographics
► Section 2: Economic Activity and Employment StatusSection 2: Economic Activity and Employment Status
► Section 3: Culture, Language, and IdentitySection 3: Culture, Language, and Identity
► Section 4: Family, Health, and Social WelfareSection 4: Family, Health, and Social Welfare
► Section 5: Religion and PoliticsSection 5: Religion and Politics
 15-20 minutes to complete15-20 minutes to complete
 Both Korean and English versions are availableBoth Korean and English versions are available
 Both online and offline surveys are availableBoth online and offline surveys are available

6. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Survey ProgressSurvey Progress
► Beginning on May 1Beginning on May 1stst
, 2008, about 3,900 people, 2008, about 3,900 people
responded as of July 14, 2008responded as of July 14, 2008
► Active Support from Korean American mediaActive Support from Korean American media
 The Korea Daily, The Korea Times, KBS America,The Korea Daily, The Korea Times, KBS America,
TVK24, Radio Korea, Voice of America, etcTVK24, Radio Korea, Voice of America, etc
► 88% and higher survey completion rate88% and higher survey completion rate
► Composition of the respondents by ageComposition of the respondents by age
 20’s (42%) 30’s (32%) 40’s (12%) 50’s (6%) above20’s (42%) 30’s (32%) 40’s (12%) 50’s (6%) above
60’s (4%)60’s (4%)

7. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Preliminary Result (By Region)Preliminary Result (By Region)
► Participants from 50 states including Guam, Hawaii,Participants from 50 states including Guam, Hawaii,
and Alaskaand Alaska
► Similar participant composition to the actualSimilar participant composition to the actual
distribution of Korean population by regiondistribution of Korean population by region
3%
10%
16%
24%
47%
California
New York area
D.C. area
Chicago area
Others

8. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Preliminary Result (By Generation)Preliminary Result (By Generation)
► Participation from various generationsParticipation from various generations
► Active participation of adoptees and half-KoreanActive participation of adoptees and half-Korean
populationpopulation
1%
39%
25%
35%
1st Generation
1.5 Generation
2nd Generation
3rd Generation

9. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Diverse ParticipantsDiverse Participants
► Sammy LeeSammy Lee
 Two-times Olympic gold medal winnerTwo-times Olympic gold medal winner
► RonRonald Moonald Moon
 , Chief Justice of Hawai, Chief Justice of Hawai
► Michelle Steel ParkMichelle Steel Park
 Republican member of the California Board of EqualizationRepublican member of the California Board of Equalization
 Currently the highest ranking Korean American officeholder in the U.S.Currently the highest ranking Korean American officeholder in the U.S.
► Yul KwonYul Kwon
 Winner of Reality TV ShowWinner of Reality TV Show “Survivor: Cook Islands”“Survivor: Cook Islands”
 Received Leadership Award from Asian CommunityReceived Leadership Award from Asian Community
► Joy OsmanskiJoy Osmanski
 Korean-American actress, seen inKorean-American actress, seen in “Grey’s Anatomy”“Grey’s Anatomy” andand “Samantha“Samantha
Who?”Who?”
► Esther ChaeEsther Chae
 Korean-American actress, seen inKorean-American actress, seen in “West Wing”“West Wing” andand “NCIS”“NCIS”
► Monica MacerMonica Macer
 Writer of TV SeriesWriter of TV Series “Prison Break”“Prison Break”
► Naomi ChoiNaomi Choi
 Former one of top movie star in KoreaFormer one of top movie star in Korea
►

10. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
Plans forPlans for Further PromotionFurther Promotion
► Relatively low participation rates of 1Relatively low participation rates of 1stst
generations above 40’sgenerations above 40’s
 Invite them to participate offline through mailing surveyInvite them to participate offline through mailing survey
► Balanced participation across the nation is neededBalanced participation across the nation is needed
► Active participation is required for constructing a high-quality databaseActive participation is required for constructing a high-quality database
► Strategic alliance with Korean American Federation and Korean AmericanStrategic alliance with Korean American Federation and Korean American
Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce
► Coalition with Korean American Professional AssociationsCoalition with Korean American Professional Associations
► Coalition with institutions that can be ‘end-user’ of the survey results asCoalition with institutions that can be ‘end-user’ of the survey results as
potential beneficiaries of government funding, etc.potential beneficiaries of government funding, etc.
► Coalition with political networks of promoting Korean suffrage and politicalCoalition with political networks of promoting Korean suffrage and political
power of Korean Americanpower of Korean American
► Systemic approach to maximize the effects of the supports from Korean mediaSystemic approach to maximize the effects of the supports from Korean media

11. KANS 2008 www.kansurvey.org
How to ParticipateHow to Participate
►By onlineBy online
 WWW.KANSURVEY.ORGWWW.KANSURVEY.ORG
►Inquiry for Mailing surveyInquiry for Mailing survey
 (213) 743.2059 /(213) 743.2059 / jelee@usc.edujelee@usc.edu
 1149 S. Hill Street, Suite 1114, LA, CA900151149 S. Hill Street, Suite 1114, LA, CA90015
►Other inquiry regarding the survey:Other inquiry regarding the survey:
 Yoon-Kyung OhYoon-Kyung Oh yoonkyuo@usc.eduyoonkyuo@usc.edu
 Nayoung JinNayoung Jin nayoungjin@gmail.comnayoungjin@gmail.com