Korean Immigrants in Indiana

Charles H. Chae, born on April 1, 1938, discusses his life as a Korean immigrant and Korean American in Indiana, and his career as an engineer and owner of a general merchandise store.

Jaehong Choi, born on February 12, 1947, discusses his life as a Korean immigrant in the United States, and his education and career as a scientist with AT&T Bell Labs.

Byong Chul Kim, born on July 10, 1955, discusses his youth in Korea, his emigration from Korea to the United States, and his graduate education in engineering. He speaks of the cultural and value differences between Koreans and Americans, and of the political demonstrations in which he participated in Korea. In addition, Mr. Kim comments on how and where Korean immigrant communities developed in the United States, and the centrality of Korean churches to those communities.

Kye Shin "Sheena" Kotarski, born on January 26, 1939, describes her experiences as a Korean immigrant in the United States married to a native-born American, and the cultural differences she has observed.

Byong-Wha Esther Lee, born on July 31, 1960, discusses her education, experiences as a Korean immigrant in the United States, and her career as a physician.

Haekyung Y. Lee, born on April 23, 1958, discusses her education, her experiences as a Korean immigrant in the United States, and her job as an assistant professor in textiles at Indiana University.

Dierdra H. Moon, born on January 17, 1959, discusses her family's emigration from Korea to the United States, the educational opportunities she was afforded in America, and the cultural differences she has encountered. She speaks of the Korean culture's emphasis on respect for elders and parents, gender roles, and methods of child discipline. In addition, she comments on the adaptation of her family to life in the United States and the importance of Korean churches to immigrants.

Ed K. Moon, born on May 4, 1961, discusses his experiences as an immigrant and Korean American, his education, and his career as a chemical engineer.

Han Won Paik, born on December 10, 1928, and his wife, Chinok Chang Paik, born on April 14, 1934, discuss their emigration from Korea to the United States, the impact of the Korean War on their lives, and their graduate education in America. They speak of ties that bind Korean communities together in the United States, including Korean Presbyterian churches and the Korean language school in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, the couple comments on Korean gender roles, the reason for frequent divorces in American-Korean marriages, and the oppressiveness of communism in North Korea.

Sae Jung Park, born on February 22, 1948, discusses his education, his emigration from Korea, and his experiences as a Korean American in Indiana.