Living in LA for a long time, you often hear stories of successful Korean American women.

Recently, while learning about a Korean American judge named Tammy Ryu, I became curious.

How did a woman born in Korea become a judge in the United States?

And how does she differ from Congresswoman Young Kim, whom we know well?

Looking at their backgrounds, I noticed two different paths for Korean immigrants to gain influence in American society.

California's First Korean American Female Judge, Tammy Ryu

Judge Tammy Chung Ryu was born in Seoul in 1960. In 1970, she moved to Guam with her family and later came to California.

She graduated from UC Berkeley and studied law at UCLA, obtaining her attorney's license in 1987.

From 1988, she worked as a prosecutor in the California Attorney General's Office and became a judge at the LA County Superior Court in 2002, appointed by then-Governor Gray Davis.

She was the first Korean American female judge in California's history.

However, there's an interesting fact here.

I thought judges in the U.S. had to be elected, but that's not always the case.

California Superior Court judges are generally elected by residents, but if a vacancy occurs during their term, the governor can appoint a new judge.

Judge Tammy Ryu was appointed in this manner, recognized for her legal career and qualifications. Afterward, judges maintain their positions through elections every six years.

The Unique Reason Judge Tammy Ryu Entered the Legal Field

Personally, the most impressive part was the 1992 LA riots.

At that time, the Korean community suffered significant damage, but there was a growing awareness that they couldn't voice their concerns due to a lack of political influence.

Judge Tammy Ryu also believed that this incident highlighted the need for Koreans to be more active within the U.S. legal and judicial systems.

She served as the president of the Korean American Bar Association and participated in efforts to improve the rights of Asian American lawyers.

It was important for her not just to become a judge but to elevate the presence of Koreans within the U.S. judicial system.

Congresswoman Young Kim Took a Completely Different Path

Congresswoman Young Kim is also an immigrant born in Korea.

She was born in Incheon in 1962 and moved to the U.S. as a child, studying business at USC.

After working as a businesswoman, she gained political experience by working for about 20 years as a staff member for Republican Congressman Ed Royce.

She was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020.

As of 2026, she serves as a Republican congresswoman representing California's 40th congressional district.

Judges and Politicians Exercise Influence Differently

Both women were born in Korea and rose to significant positions in American society, but their roles are quite different.

Judge Tammy Ryu is someone who fairly judges individual cases based on law and evidence. Legal expertise and judicial independence are more important than political popularity.

In contrast, Congresswoman Young Kim is a politician elected by voters to serve in Congress. She creates legislation, influences government policy, and represents the interests of local residents.

There is a clear distinction: judges apply the law, while legislators create it.

Additionally, Judge Tammy Ryu operates within the state judiciary, while Congresswoman Young Kim works in the federal legislature.

Observing the Changes in the Korean American Immigrant Community Through Their Stories

As a Korean American woman living in LA, I find their stories particularly meaningful.

In the past, the standard for success among Korean immigrants was to secure a good job or make money through business.

However, Judge Tammy Ryu and Congresswoman Young Kim present a slightly different picture.

They demonstrate that even without being born in the U.S., one can hold significant roles in law and politics.

Of course, this path is not easily accessible to everyone. It requires extensive education, experience, and social trust.

It's important to remember that their success is not solely due to being Korean; they have built expertise in their respective fields over decades.

As I compare their successes, I believe it is more important how they contribute to American society than who has reached a higher position.

One participates through fair judgments in court, while the other engages in legislative activities in Congress.

Perhaps this is the most definitive evidence that the Korean immigrant community has expanded its influence beyond economic success to the institutions and policies of American society.