Beginning in early 2025, the Korean American Institute (KAI) worked with a team of academic professionals and other research experts to plan the most comprehensive national survey of Korean Americans ever conducted.
In 2028, America will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. Under the title, “Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Korean America: Current State, Future Directions,” the goal of this ambitious project is to generate the most wide-ranging, insightful, and up to date information about Korean Americans across the nation.
By ascertaining their demographic backgrounds, lived experiences, societal needs, and viewpoints on issues of importance in American society today, the data collected could allow decision makers in various influential sectors to learn more about this growing ethnic group and take appropriate action.
Between February and April 2026, the survey team interviewed 1,466 adults in English or in Korean. On October 19, 2026, KAI presented the preliminary findings of this survey at a press briefing in Los Angeles, California.
The data collection and most of the analysis have been completed. Nevertheless, at this stage, the survey team prepared the preliminary findings into a “draft” report to provide the public with an opportunity to review the information and to share feedback with the authors.
Accordingly, please review this preliminary report and email to info@ka.institute any questions, comments, thoughts, and feedback, by Friday, November 20, 2026.
The survey team will consider each input received and may revise the report as necessary before preparing the final version to be published in December 2026.
“Korean Americans remain underrepresented in many aspects of American life, despite their deep historical roots in the United States and their standing as the fifth-largest Asian American group. As Korea and Korean culture gain greater public recognition, gaps in national data on Korean America make clear the urgent need for updated information to ensure that rising visibility leads to more responsive and equitable policies and institutions.”
Angie Y. Chung, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
U.S.-Korea Fulbright Scholar
University at Albany, New York
Academic Research Team
This groundbreaking project was planned and executed by a team of experienced scholars and industry professionals, with input from various Korean American community leaders.
Survey Research Firm
The survey implementation was managed by BSP Research, with over 20 years of research experience and cultural competence in understanding the demographic changes occurring in the United States.
BSP Research recently worked with over 150 academic researchers to contact more than 4,000 Asian Americans as part of the 2024 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey.
Funding Sources
The Korean American Institute provided funding for the approximately $250,000 in total budget expended over two years.
Of this total amount, $60,000 in matching grants were contributed by the Korean American Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Southern California, and dedicated to raising and stewarding charitable funds and inspiring a culture of giving for the Korean American community.
More Information
Federal regulations (45 CFR 46) require research involving human participants to be carried out under the oversight of an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This project, “Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Korean America: Current State, Future Directions,” has been reviewed and approved by the IRB at San Diego State University (IRB-25-0358).
If you have specific questions about the IRB or your rights as a research participant, please contact the San Diego State University Human Research Protection Program at 619-594-6622 or email IRB@sdsu.edu. If you have questions about the survey itself, please email KASurvey@ka.institute.