Board & Leadership

Jong Hyun Lim is an architectural historian, historic preservation specialist, and principal of Heritage Smart Consulting Group. He holds an MS in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Architecture from Oxford Brookes University. His work bridges heritage research and preservation practice in Korea and the United States. He gained research and professional experience at the Getty Conservation Institute, the U.S. General Services Administration, the National Park Service, and Tennessee’s State Historic Preservation Office, and taught historic preservation at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Working with Korean heritage institutions and government agencies, he has contributed to writing guidance on National Register listing for Korean American historic sites, developing an operations plan for the Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C., and researching the Korean aviation school and shared heritage. He currently leads local project management for the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ project to restore the former Young Korean Academy headquarters in Los Angeles. As president of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, he connects preservation, education, and community participation to share Korean American heritage with future generations.

Christina Park is a city planner with over 12 years of experience in preservation planning. She currently works for the Los Angeles Department of City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources, where she oversees the Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ) or local historic districts program. She manages a team of planners conducting preservation plan implementation and project review in the City’s 35 historic districts, and helps to direct critical policy and project work at the intersection of planning, preservation, and community engagement. She received her BA in Ethnic Studies and Political Science at UC Berkeley, before pursuing her graduate studies in the Master of Heritage Conservation Program at the USC School of Architecture. Since 2012, she has served on the Board of Directors for APIAHiP (Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding historic places and cultural resources significant to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. In this capacity, she has been deeply engaged in efforts to identify, document, and elevate sites associated with Korean American heritage nationwide, with a particular focus on research and advocacy for sites in the Los Angeles area. Through the Heritage of Korea Foundation, she hopes to connect historic preservation with community engagement, working alongside local communities to safeguard Korean diaspora heritage and share it with future generations.

Imsan Kang heads the U.S. office of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, working in the research, preservation, and use of Korean cultural heritage abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Korean Language and Literature from Chung-Ang University and a master’s degree specializing in cultural resources documentation from Myongji University. His experience spans heritage nonprofit leadership and service as a specialist at Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration. Since joining the Foundation in 2012, he has held key roles in research, cooperation, and heritage utilization. He received two commendations from the Cultural Heritage Administration for contributions to heritage recovery, including the reacquisition of the Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C. As a board member of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, he seeks to strengthen partnerships among heritage institutions and communities in Korea and the United States, supporting the preservation and public use of Korean heritage abroad.

Jungeun Hong is a librarian and archivist specializing in Korean and Korean American collections. Her work centers on Korean diasporic history, community archives, and immersive digital storytelling. Through USC K-Trail and other projects documenting Korean American lives and legacies, she connects historic places, archival materials, and personal narratives to make history accessible to broader audiences. She serves as the Korean Heritage Library Liaison at the University of Southern California (USC), providing reference and instructional services, developing archival and special collections, and managing library holdings. She holds an MLIS and an MA in East Asian Studies from UCLA, and a BA in Journalism. She also serves on the boards of the Council on East Asian Libraries (CEAL) and Friends of Korea. As a board member of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, she seeks to preserve and connect community records and personal stories, making them accessible for research, education, and future generations.

Jong Soo Han is a historian and founding director of the Korean Heritage Society, which researches Korean cultural heritage in Korea and abroad. He holds an MA in Korean Studies from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in Korean History from Chung-Ang University. From 2013 to 2021, he worked at the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, where he led the restoration of the Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C. His responsibilities included archival research on the building’s history, restoration fundraising, and management of the Old Korean Legation Museum. He now focuses on research, education, and public outreach related to Korean cultural heritage. As a board member of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, he seeks to bring archival research and historical interpretation into educational programs and public storytelling, deepening understanding of Korean American heritage and the historic ties between Korea and the United States.

Soon Young Chung is CEO of Place Lab. Inc., combining research on modern East Asian architectural history with regional regeneration practice through an interest in the relationship between architecture and people. Chung earned a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, studying modern East Asian architectural history and how architecture evolved through modern-era expositions. This research led to involvement in Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, from master planning through event operations, followed by work in exposition and exhibition planning and regional regeneration. Chung currently develops master plans for rural and fishing community regeneration in Korea while maintaining an interest in modern cultural heritage research and documentation. Viewing Korean American heritage through cultural exchange and mutual influence, Chung seeks to contribute to historical research and the planning of heritage preservation and use as a board member of The Heritage of Korea Foundation.

Sanghoon Shim is the head of VERS, where he plans and produces exhibitions, cultural content, and digital platforms informed by architecture and space. He studied architecture at Sungkyunkwan University and completed master’s coursework in Future City Convergence Engineering. His practice spans spatial design, content production, and software development. He has collaborated with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture, local governments, and companies on exhibition planning, content production, and program development and operations. He led thematic exhibitions for the Korea Architecture Festival and exhibitions for an urbanism and architecture biennale, and contributed to a DMZ online exhibition platform and exhibition research for the Young Korean Academy historic site in Los Angeles. As a board member of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, he seeks to translate historical research and cultural narratives into exhibitions, spaces, and digital experiences that invite audiences to explore Korean cultural heritage and the legacy of the independence movement.

Clara Won is an educator who has long supported Korean language and cultural education, helping younger generations of Korean Americans connect with their heritage. She is a former Board Chair of the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation and President of the Korean School Association of America. She currently serves as a senior advisor to the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation and an overseas expert helping the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs locate descendants of Korean independence honorees. Her work includes historical commemorations and educational programs that share Korean American immigration history and the legacy of the independence movement. As a board member of the Heritage of Korea Foundation, she seeks to bring community experience into heritage education, helping younger generations understand their roots and participate in preserving Korean American heritage.

Grant Hyun is a writer and independent filmmaker from Los Angeles whose work explores history and cultural heritage through narrative and documentary filmmaking. He holds a degree in American Studies from Colby College and an MFA in Filmmaking from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. His films have screened at festivals including Slamdance, the Atlanta Film Festival, and SXSW. A 2023 Fulbright Korea Scholar, he is currently in post-production on a feature-length documentary examining how survivors of the Jeju 4.3 Incident have articulated and processed their trauma. As the great-grandson of Korean independence activist Hyun Soon, he is interested in the relationships among Korea, the United States, and the Korean diaspora. As a board member of The Heritage of Korea Foundation, he seeks to broaden engagement with independence movement heritage through film, exhibitions, scholarly dialogue, and storytelling.