An illustrative collage connecting Korean architecture, archival textures, landscape, and community memory.

A living archive for Korean heritage

Preserving heritage. Inspiring hope.

We identify, study, and preserve the places, records, and memories of Korean communities—and connect them with life today through preservation and education.

Our WorkAbout
Welcome

Welcome

The places that hold Korean memories also tell stories of belonging.

Our work begins in the Americas and reaches toward a global future, treating Korean diaspora heritage as part of the shared history of every community where it took root.

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One mission

Four connected fields of work

01

Preservation

Caring for the places that connect us.

From immigrant gathering places to sites of Korea’s independence movement, historic places hold stories that connect people across generations and borders. HOKF works with owners, specialists, and local communities to identify significant places and develop thoughtful approaches to their preservation and continued use. We approach Korean American heritage as shared heritage—part of both the Korean diaspora’s experience and the history of the communities where it took root.

02

Research

Finding the stories. Building the evidence.

A building, a photograph, or a personal recollection can open a new understanding of the past. HOKF brings archival research, field documentation, and oral history together to explore Korean migration, independence efforts, and community life. We ground interpretation in verifiable evidence while respecting the perspectives of those who hold these memories. This research provides a foundation for preservation decisions, public understanding, and future scholarship.

03

Education

Making heritage part of learning—and life.

Heritage becomes meaningful when people can encounter it, ask questions, and connect it with their own lives. HOKF develops opportunities for learning through historic places, exhibitions, stories, and educational resources. Working with educators and cultural institutions, we aim to make Korean American history accessible to learners of different ages and backgrounds. We invite the next generation to explore their roots and discover how these experiences belong within a broader, shared history.

04

Community

An open platform for shared work.

The future of heritage depends on the people who care for it. HOKF brings together community members, preservation professionals, researchers, educators, and institutions to exchange knowledge and turn ideas into collaborative projects. We aspire to be an open platform where the talents of the Korean diaspora and partners across communities can meet. Whether you bring a family archive, professional expertise, or a commitment to a place, there is a role for you.

Our Work

Looking ahead

Three priorities guiding our work in 2027

01

Documenting Korean Heritage at Rosedale

Researching and documenting Korean American graves at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles and the lives they commemorate, including individuals connected to the Korean independence movement and the Korean aviation school established at Willows in 1920.

02

Creating Korean Garden–Inspired Spaces

Exploring spaces inspired by Korean garden traditions, bringing together nature, cultural meaning, and places for reflection and gathering. The initiative aims to share Korean heritage through thoughtful landscape design. Sites and settings for application have yet to be determined.

03

Mapping Korean Heritage Worldwide

Completing the Americas database within our Heritage Map in 2027, connecting Korean historic places with their associated people, events, and community histories. Following this phase, we plan to expand coverage to other countries, supporting research, education, and public discovery of Korean diaspora heritage worldwide.

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Leadership

Experience across preservation, scholarship, education, and storytelling.

Our board brings together people whose work connects cultural heritage with public life across Korea and the United States.

  • President

    Jong Hyun Lim, Ph.D.

  • Secretary General

    Christina Park

  • Board Member

    Im San Kang

  • Board Member

    Jung Eun Hong

  • Board Member

    Sang Hoon Shim

  • Board Member

    Soon Young Chung

  • Board Member

    Grant Hyun

  • Board Member

    Clara Won

  • Board Member

    Jong Soo Han, Ph.D.

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An open platform

Records, memories, expertise, and enthusiasm give this work its strength.

We invite heritage institutions, practitioners, researchers, educators, and local communities to build lasting partnerships across borders.

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