제 21회 한일의날 기념행사

제21회 미주 한인의 날 행사 성료, 백성옥(W&W FO 자문위원) 공로상 수상

— 미 연방의회 한인 이민 123주년 기념 행사

지난 1월 13일, 미국 연방 하원 레이번 빌딩(Rayburn House Office Building)에서 한인 이민 역사 123주년을 기념하고 한인 사회의 미국 내 기여를 조명하는 ‘제21회 미주 한인의 날(Korean American Day)’ 행사가 개최됐다.

로사 박 워싱턴 미주한인재단 회장은 이날 개회사에서 “미주 한인의 날을 많은 분들과 함께 기념하게 되어 뜻깊게 생각한다”며, “이번 행사는 지난 123년간 미주 한인 선조들이 걸어온 발자취와 그들의 헌신을 미 연방의회에서 공식적으로 기리는 데 의미가 있다”고 밝혔다.

행사에는 로사 박 회장을 비롯해 영 김 연방 하원의원(공화·캘리포니아), 데이브 민 연방 하원의원(민주·캘리포니아), 제임스 워킨쇼 연방 하원의원(민주·버지니아), 수하스 수브라마니암 연방 하원의원(민주·버지니아) 등 다수의 연방 의원과 주요 인사들이 참석해 자리를 빛냈다.

영 김 의원은 연방 하원 435명 의원 중 한 명으로서 하원 산하 아시아·태평양 소위원장을 맡고 있으며, “미주 한인의 날을 축하하는 뜻깊은 자리에 함께하게 되어 영광”이라며, 한미동맹 강화를 위해 미주 한인 사회와 연방 의회가 지속적으로 협력해 나가야 함을 강조했다.

제임스 워킨쇼 의원은 미주 한인의 날을 함께 축하할 수 있어 기쁘다며, “한미동맹은 공동의 이익과 가치를 공유하는 전략적 동맹”이라고 강조했다. 이날 워킨쇼 의원은 미주한인재단을 후원해 온 버지니아한의대 잔 유 총장에게 감사장을 전달했다.

데이브 민 의원은 미국 내 한인 인구 증가와 함께 정치·사회·문화 전반에서 한인들의 영향력이 확대되고 있음을 언급하며, 굳건한 한미동맹을 위한 지속적인 노력이 중요하다고 밝혔다.

수하스 수브라마니암 의원은 한국전쟁으로 인해 발생한 이산가족 문제를 언급하며, 팀 케인 연방 상원의원이 발의한 ‘이산가족 등록 법안(Divided Families Registry Act)’에 대한 지지 의사를 밝혔다. 이에 워킨쇼 의원 역시 해당 법안에 대한 지지를 공식 표명했다.

이날 행사에는 미국 정부를 대표해 도널드 트럼프 대통령, 한국 정부를 대표해 이재명 대통령이 각각 축하 메시지를 보내 미주 한인 사회를 격려했다. 트럼프 대통령의 축사는 마크 김 전 버지니아 주 하원의원이, 이재명 대통령의 축사는 조기중 워싱턴 총영사가 각각 대독했다.

이재명 대통령은 축사를 통해 “미주 한인들은 한국의 위상을 높이는 데 크게 기여해 왔으며, 이들의 노력으로 한미동맹은 더욱 굳건해졌다”고 전했다.

미주 한인의 날은 2005년 미 연방 하원과 상원에서 결의안으로 채택된 기념일로, 한인들이 비즈니스, 학계, 스포츠, 정치 등 다양한 분야에서 미국 사회에 기여해 온 공로를 기리는 날이다.

한편, 웰씨앤와이즈 패밀리오피스 자문의원인 백성옥 전 메릴랜드 한인회장은 이날 오랜 기간 한인 사회에 헌신해 온 공로를 인정받아 공로상을 수상했다.

백성옥 자문의원은 대한민국 서울에서 태어나 1975년 남편과 두 자녀와 함께 미국으로 이민했다. 1978년 메릴랜드 한인회 사무국장으로 지역사회 봉사를 시작한 이후, 지난 47년간 볼티모어 및 워싱턴 D.C. 광역권 한인 사회를 위해 헌신적으로 활동해 왔다.

1994년에는 메릴랜드 한인 여성 골프협회를 창립했으며, 회장을 세 차례 역임했다. 또한 메릴랜드 한인회 제34·35대 회장으로 재임하며 지역 축제 조직 등 다양한 활동을 이끌었고, 2019년 기준 해당 축제에는 약 4만 명이 참석하는 성과를 거두었다.

이외에도 엘리콧 시티(Route 40) 일부 구간을 ‘코리안 웨이(Korean Way)’로 지정하는 데 기여했으며, 2020년에는 하워드 카운티 역사협회로부터 ‘하워드 카운티 여성의 해(Year of the Howard County Women)’를 맞아 지역사회 기여 인물로 선정돼 표창을 받았다.

또한 평화통일자문회의 워싱턴협의회에서 12년간 자문위원, 위원, 수석부회장을 역임했으며, 2016년부터 2023년까지 메릴랜드주 한미 자매결연 위원회 공동위원장으로 활동했다.

그 공로를 인정받아 메릴랜드 주지사 래리 호건과 마틴 오말리, 연방 상원의원 크리스 밴 홀런, 전 메릴랜드 주 상원의원 수잔 리, 전 하워드 카운티 행정관 앨런 키틀먼, 전 볼티모어 시장 캐서린 퓨 등으로부터 다수의 표창과 감사장을 수상했다.

웰씨앤와이즈 패밀리오피스는 한인 사회의 올바른 투자 인식을 확립하고, 안정적인 노후 설계와 상속·자산 관리 전반을 지원하는 투자자문 회사로, 메릴랜드주 콜럼비아에 본사를 두고 있다.

<참고자료. 한국일보, 이창령 기자 기사, 1/14/2026>

http://www.koreatimes.com/article/1596992

21st Korean American Day Commemoration – Seong Ok Baik Receives Community Service Award

Seong Ok Baik

Wealthy & Wise Family Office Communication Advisor

On January 13, the 21st Korean American Day celebration was held at the Rayburn House Office Building of the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 123rd anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States and to highlight the contributions of Korean Americans to American society.

Rosa Park, President of the Washington Korean American Foundation, expressed her pleasure that many people joined in celebrating Korean American Day. She noted that holding the event at the U.S. Congress was especially meaningful, as it focused on honoring the legacy and footsteps of Korean immigrants over the past 123 years.

The event was attended by President Rosa Park of the Washington Korean American Foundation, along with Korean American members of Congress including Rep. Young Kim (R–California) and Rep. Dave Min (D–California), as well as Rep. James Walkinshaw (D–Virginia) and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D–Virginia), who added distinction to the occasion.

Rep. Young Kim, one of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Chair of the House Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, said it was an honor to celebrate this event with the Korean American community. She encouraged Korean Americans to continue contributing their individual efforts to strengthening the U.S.–Korea alliance.

Rep. James Walkinshaw (D–Virginia) expressed his joy at celebrating Korean American Day together and emphasized that the U.S.–Korea alliance is a strategic partnership based on shared interests and values. Rep. Walkinshaw presented a certificate of appreciation to President Jan Yoo of the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine in recognition of the institution’s support of the Washington Korean American Foundation.

Rep. Dave Min (D–California) highlighted the growth of the Korean American population in the United States, its increasing influence, and its cultural impact, while underscoring the importance of continued efforts to maintain a strong U.S.–Korea alliance.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D–Virginia) addressed the issue of separated families resulting from the Korean War and expressed his support for the “Divided Families Registry Act,” introduced by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine to assist separated families in the United States. Rep. Walkinshaw also voiced his support for the legislation.

Representing the U.S. government, President Donald Trump, and representing the Korean government, President Lee Jae-myung, sent congratulatory messages to celebrate Korean American Day. President Trump’s message was read by former Virginia State Delegate Mark Kim, while President Lee’s message was delivered by Washington Consul General Cho Ki-joong.

In his message, read by Consul General Cho, President Lee stated, “Korean Americans have elevated Korea’s global standing, and through their efforts, the U.S.–Korea alliance has become even stronger.”

Korean American Day was officially established in 2005 through resolutions passed by both the U.S. House and Senate. It is a day to celebrate the contributions of Korean Americans across fields such as business, academia, sports, and politics.

On this occasion, Seong Ok Baik, former President of the Korean Society of Maryland and an advisory board member of Wealth & Wise Family Office, received a Community Service Award.

Ms. Baik was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States in 1975 with her husband and two children.

Her first community service role began in 1978 as an office manager for the Korean Society of Maryland. Since then, she has dedicated 47 years to serving the Korean American community in the Greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region.

In 1994, she founded the Korean Women’s Golf Association of Maryland and served three terms as its president. She also served as the 34th and 35th President of the Korean Society of Maryland, where she was responsible for organizing Korean cultural festivals. Attendance at these festivals grew to nearly 40,000 by 2019 during her tenure.

She contributed to the designation of a portion of Route 40 in Ellicott City as “Korean Way” and was recognized in 2020 by the Howard County Historical Society as one of the distinguished individuals honored during the “Year of the Howard County Women” for her contributions to the community.

Ms. Baik also served for 12 years as an advisor, committee member, and Senior Vice President of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council–Washington Chapter. From 2016 to 2023, she served as Co-Chair of the Maryland Korea–U.S. Sister State Committee.

She has received numerous honors and commendations for her service from former Maryland Governors Larry Hogan and Martin O’Malley, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, former Maryland State Senator Susan Lee, former Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, and former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh.

Wealth & Wise Family Office, where Ms. Baik serves as an advisory board member, is an investment advisory firm based in Columbia, Maryland. The firm works to help Korean Americans reshape misconceptions about investing and to plan for a stable retirement and estate succession.

(Reference: Korea Times, article by Chang-ryung Lee, January 14, 2026)

Military Community Outreach & Financial Marketing Specialist – 1099 Contractor

Wealthy&Wise Family Office is seeking a Financial Marketing Specialist.

Please check the details below.

We look forward to collaborating with talented and driven professionals.

Position: Military Community Outreach & Financial Marketing Specialist (1099 Contractor)

Location: Pyeongtaek / Osan / Seoul, Republic of Korea

Employer: Wealthy & Wise Family Office (U.S. Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland)

About Us

WW Family Office (www.wealthyandwisefamilyoffice.com) is a U.S.-based financial advisory and family office company headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with operations in Korea, and Hawaii.

Through our InvestEd program, we provide accessible, values-driven tax planning and investment strategy to individuals and families—regardless of income level. Our mission is to empower clients with the knowledge and tools needed to build financial security over time.

We are now expanding our services to support the U.S. military community in Korea, particularly at Camp Humphreys (Pyeongtaek) and Osan Air Base, the largest U.S. installations in the region. We believe many service members lack access to transparent financial education and are often underserved by high-fee providers. Our goal is to deliver ethical, affordable, and effective financial and retirement planning resources to Soldiers, Airmen, and their families.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced, well-connected retired U.S. military professional to lead outreach and marketing efforts within the U.S. forces community in Korea.

The ideal candidate is a retired Officer or Senior NCO (20+ years of service) who is currently residing in Korea and maintains active relationships within the military community.

This is a part-time, flexible, 1099 contractor role, with potential for full-time conversion as the Korea program grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement coordinated marketing and outreach strategies with both the Korea office and U.S. headquarters

• Identify financial education and planning needs across different military client segments (junior enlisted, NCOs, officers, families, dual-military households, etc.)

• Host seminars and small-group sessions for service members and families at Camp Humphreys, Osan AB, and surrounding areas

• Schedule virtual consultations between interested clients and our U.S.-based financial advisors and tax consultants

• Manage relationships, follow-up, and client communications

• Provide regular reports to the CEO of the Korea Office and the CFO of the U.S. Office

• Execute additional assignments and strategic initiatives as directed by executive leadership

• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and discretion expected within the military community

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen

• Retired U.S. Military Officer or Senior NCO (20+ years of service preferred)

• Currently residing in Korea (Pyeongtaek / Osan area preferred; Seoul acceptable)

• Active network within U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)

• Eligible for access to U.S. military installations

• Strong understanding of personal finance, retirement planning, or investment concepts are highly preferred

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills

• High degree of integrity and credibility within the military community

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with financial education, retirement planning, or veteran transition programs

• Background in leadership, training, or unit-level mentorship roles

• Familiarity with organizations such as First Command, USO, A&FRC, ACS, or TAP

• Ability to communicate effectively with young service members who may have limited financial literacy

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly-based compensation (competitive rates)

• Performance bonuses for client acquisition

• Work-from-home / remote flexibility

• Lunch allowance (monthly)

• Chuseok and New Year holiday gifts

• Flexible working hours

• Potential transition to full-time employment as program expands

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Resume (including rank at retirement, years of service, duty stations, and leadership roles)

• Brief cover letter describing military network in Korea and relevant experience

Please email applications to: khong@wnwinc.co.kr