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Korean-Americans behind Trump's election

Nov. 11, 2016 - 10:57 By 임정요
Some Korean-Americans supported Donald Trump's surprise election as US president and are expected to be given roles in the incoming government.

Most representative of them are Lisa Shin, an eye doctor living in New Mexico; Michelle Park Steel, vice chair of California's Orange County Board of Supervisors; RNC Asian and Pacific Islander Communications Director Jason Chung; and Marcia Lee Kelly, director of operations for the Republican National Convention.

Shin was the only Korean-American to deliver a speech at July's Republican national convention where Trump won the presidential nomination.

During the speech, Shin said Trump is the only candidate "who will preserve the American dream that our parents and our grandparents envisioned for us."

"I am Korean-American. And I am very proud to be a supporter of the next president of the United States, Donald J. Trump!" Shin said during the speech.

Born in the US to South Korean parents, Shin helped with Trump's campaign by organizing a Korean-American group of supporters on Facebook since April last year.

Steel, vice chair of California's Orange County Board of Supervisors, also worked hard for Trump's election, dispelling concerns about the real-estate tycoon's foreign policy and offering to play a bridging role between Trump and South Korea.

She was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006 for the first time as a Korean-American and won re-election in 2010. In 2014, she became a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and was appointed vice chair in January.

Chung played the role of a spokesperson for Trump for Asia-Pacific media outlets, repeatedly expressing confidence that Trump is sure to beat Clinton and promote the party's unity because he was getting support from grassroots voters.

Kelly, a long-time Republican, proved her capability by successfully organizing the convention. (Yonhap)