Korean American Center, established in 2015, is a nonprofit educational and community organisation headquartered in Irvine, California. The organisation provides Korean language instruction, cultural education, and community programs for Korean Americans and the broader public.
History Korean American Center traces its origins to 2013, when a group in Orange County, California, began holding informal weekly gatherings and Korean English language exchanges. Initially known as the Orange County Korean American Cultural Exchange, the group sought to reconnect second and third generation Korean Americans with their ancestral language and cultural heritage while fostering cultural exchange with the broader community.
KAC operates youth leadership and civic engagement programs and provides social services for low income, elderly, and immigrant members of the Korean American community.
In 2015, it was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Irvine, California.
In 2018, KAC finalized a merger with Korean Community Services (KCS), an Orange County nonprofit providing health and social services, and operated as a KCS division while continuing its Korean language and cultural programs. In 2023 KCS spun off its Korean American Center division, and KAC resumed operations as an independent nonprofit organization.
In 2018, Korean American Center was selected to operate the Irvine King Sejong Institute, becoming part of an international network supported by South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. NBC News reported that existing student demand and strong online reviews factored into the selection. At the time, ten King Sejong Institutes operated in the United States, and the foundation opened a support center in Los Angeles that year to expand the network.
In 2018, KAC received funding through STARTALK, a federally funded initiative supported by the National Security Agency to expand instruction in critical-need languages. In partnership with the University of California, Irvine's Center for Critical Korean Studies, KAC established a summer Korean language program for heritage learners. KAC continued operating STARTALK programs through 2023.
Recognition and accreditation In 2023, KAC's Irvine King Sejong Institute received an Outstanding King Sejong Institute Award from the King Sejong Institute Foundation at the World Korean Language Educators Conference in Seoul. KAC's Irvine King Sejong Institute also received an award in the foundation's competition for exemplary cultural programming.
In 2025, Korean American Center received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Schools - Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Also See
King Sejong Institute Korean Language Education in the United States STARTALK (Language Program) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
References
External Links Official Website