Ann H. Park, a veteran prosecutor who fought against crime for the past 20 years, will be running for LA Superior Court Judge. If she should succeed, Park will become the first elected Korean woman judge in history.
The main reason for the challenge is that she could be a source of hope for others, particularly for Park's fellow Korean Americans. Park's election will to provide great inspiration for the younger Korean Americans in Los Angeles, and will also show America that Koreans have now entered the mainstream of society.
While getting prepared for the election in June, Park thought that she does not want the Korean community to support her, just because they are of the same race and culture. She explained about what kind of attorney she wanted to become: "The public must be able to depend on the judicial system, including judges, to protect them, guide them and maintain the highest standard of our democratic way of life."
After witnessing the LA Riots of 1992, Park realized that the Korean Americans were part of the minority and underrepresented in American society. After deciding that she wanted nothing more than to live out justice, she decided not be satisfied with being an attorney with a stable income but instead moved on to become the executive director of the East Bay Korean Community Center, a Korean volunteer organization.
At a press meeting with members of the Korean community, Park used the word "God" a considerable number of times, showing that she is not afraid to show her faith in a society where Christianity is beginning to be looked down upon. She declared proudly that she is the daughter of a pastor, and even included that she was serving as a Sunday school teacher for ten years on her resume.
Now, Park is fundraising for the upcoming election of June.
