KAPS News, Dec 22nd

Welcome to the December 22nd, 2008 edition of the KAPS Newsletter.

In this issue:
*KAPS Returns! – 2009 KAPS Kickoff Meeting
*January Kappy Hour
*Push for Korean-American Fee Trade Agreement
*iKAPS Update

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KAPS RETURNS! – 2009 KAPS KICKOFF MEETING

Get ready for another fabulous year with KAPS as we officially kick off KAPS 2009! We have an exciting year planned and will be sharing the calendar of events for the year!

This is the perfect opportunity for people interested in:
*Learning more about the mission and vision of KAPS
*Finding out about upcoming KAPS events in 2008
*Becoming a member of KAPS
*Getting the most out of KAPS from both a professional and personal perspective

The meeting will also feature a special presentation from Joy Boatwright, who has balanced great professional success as a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch as well as leading multiple community organizations such as the Korean Art and Culture Committee at the Asian Art Museum, SF Korean Mamas, and Symphonix of the San Francisco Symphony.

Agenda:
1) Welcome & Introductions
2) 2009 Calendar of Events
3) Guest Speaker: Joy Boatwright
4) Refreshments & Networking

Where: Merrill Lynch's Franklin Conference Room (600 California St, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108)
When: Thursday, January 15th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

If you have any questions, please contact KAPS President Andrew Ko (andrew@kaps.org). See you there!

JANUARY KAPPY HOUR

Start off the New Year right at the January Kappy Hour!

Where: John Colins Lounge (90 Natoma St, off 2nd St between Mission and Howard, San Francisco, CA 94105)

When: Thursday, January 8th, 2008, 7:30PM (typically the first Thursday of every month)

Each of our Kappy Hours offer a great opportunity to network with fellow Korean-American professionals, meet up with old friends, and learn about what’s going on in KAPS. We have some very exciting events planned for early 2009, so make sure you don’t miss out!

PUSH FOR KOREAN-AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

The business coalition of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry is launching an effort targeted in the Bay Area to push for a Korean-American Free Trade Agreement.

They are looking for Korean-Americans/prominent community leaders to write Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor that we will get placed in newspapers in the area. Also, they are looking for people who would be willing to write letters to select representatives urging them to take action on such a free-trade agreement.

If you or anyone you know is interested in supporting this cause or would like more information, please contact Andrea Feaster (andrea@meridianhq.com).

Some of the reasons to support a free-trade agreement include:

Korea is already an important export market for California goods and services. In 2006, Korea was California’s 5th largest export market for goods, with exports totaling more than $7 billion. Exports to Korea are spread across a wide range of manufactured goods, including computer and electronics products ($2.3 billion); machinery manufactures ($1.8 billion); transportation equipment ($490 million); waste and scrap ($439 million); and processed foods ($336 million).
Korea accounted for $20.7 billion in two-way trade through the ports of L.A. and Long Beach in 2006.
Korea is already a growing market for California’s manufactured goods. California’s exports to Korea increased by more than 45% between 2003 and 2006.
Korea is the 6th largest importer of American agricultural products. In 2006, Korea was the 7th largest export destination for Californian agricultural products, importing $271 million worth of agriculture goods from California. With the elimination of tariffs on a whole range of agricultural products through the KORUS FTA, top Californian agricultural products such as almonds, wine, pistachios, and oranges will enjoy greater access to the Korean market.
Korea is the 11th largest global market for the American film industry. California’s thriving entertainment industry will surely be one of the biggest winners of the KORUS FTA which will provide expanded market access to the Korean entertainment market as well as enhanced protection for intellectual property rights.
There are currently more than 140 Korean firms in California, providing jobs and business opportunities to Californians. In 2006, Korean investments in California totaled $4.7 billion.
Samsung has been operating in California for more than 20 years. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. in San Jose, which employs more than 1,100 workers nationwide, orchestrates the sale of its semiconductor product lines in the Americas.
SK Telecom, the No.1 Korean mobile carrier, has its United States headquarters in Los Angeles. In May 2005, SK telecom joined US firm Earthlink to launch mobile phone service in the United States.
LG Siltron America, Inc. and LG Philips LCD America, Inc., both located in San Jose, provide the United States with silicon wafers and LCD TVs.
POSCO, the no.1 Korean steel producer, established USS-POSCO Industries in 1986 with the US Steel Corporation. It operates a steel finishing plant in Pittsburg, California, which employs nearly 1,000 employees. The steel products from this plant serve primarily the Western United States.
In January 2005, Hyundai Motors America opened a proving ground for the next generation Hyundai and Kia vehicles in California City. It was an investment of $60 million, stretching over 4,300 acres.
KIA Motors America has its headquarters in Irvine. In July 2005, Kia Motors America held the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $70 million campus-style facility in Irvine. In addition, a $17 million design studio will be constructed on this new campus.
Currently, Korea is the third-largest source of foreign students studying in the United States. More than 8,000 students – nearly 11 percent of all foreign students in the State – are enrolled in California colleges and universities.
California has one of the most vibrant Korean communities in the United States, with about 400,000 residents actively participating in the Californian economy.

iKAPS UPDATE

Holiday iKAPS Poll: What are you doing for the holidays?
Click here to tell us

INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN KAPS?

KAPS is always on the lookout for people interested in getting the most out of their KAPS experience. We are looking for volunteers to plan social events, coordinate community service events, serve as guest speakers, monitor the website, and improve the overall KAPS member experience. We are also looking for contributors to our newsletters and website, in the form of job postings, professional advice, and relevant news.

If you are interested in becoming an officer, contributing to newsletters, or assisting with an event, please contact andrew@kaps.org.

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The Korean American Professional Society (KAPS) is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to the professional and social development of Korean Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide a forum for networking, community service, and political involvement.

To learn more about KAPS, our members, and our events, or to join the KAPS community, please visit our website at www.kaps.org