Korean Association of Retired Persons
Encyclopedia
The Korean Association of Retired Persons, also known as KARP, is an international, not-for-profit
, non-governmental organization
affiliated with the United Nations
. It is dedicated to serving the interests and needs of Koreans ages 50+.
Since its inception in 1996 in New York
, KARP has been active in providing tangible services not only to its members, but also to the communities as a whole. As a result, KARP has realized a significant growth from its original 20 charter members to its current base of approximately 100,000. This continually expanding membership base represents an impressive position within the ageing society in Korea
.
, legislation
, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of life of the community. KARP also functions as a catalyst to further the mutually beneficial relationships between the NGOs of the United Nations around the globe. Through our activities on the local, national, and international level, our association is devoted to the betterment of the ageing Korean and Korean-American communities.
He is on KBS Radio and JCBN television weekly basis with Ageing and other related Social issues.
As an immigrant early in eighties, he and his wife opened a delicatessen
in the upper West Side
of Manhattan
and served his community.
He served two terms as President of Korean-American Grocer’s Association (KAGRO) which has membership of over 3,500 store owners in the New York metropolitan area
.
In 1994, Myong Juch was elected as the 23rd President of the Korean-American Association of Greater New York (KAANY), to represent 450,000 Korean-Americans.
After serving his term, Myong became a McDonald's
Owner/Operator in New York City.
He was the first Korean to own and operate McDonald’s in the United States
.
Myong Juch has been a leader in developing service for the Korean-American community, as well as Asian and advocated to the local, state and federal government; and has been a community liaison with other ethnic group.
Myong Juch, holds a Master of Science degree from Mercy College
, and continued his education in Minority Business Executive Program at Tuck’s, Dartmouth College
, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Course at New York University
.
He was awarded Doctor of Commercial Science, honoris causa, from Mercy College, New York.
He has served as a board of directors with New York City Community Board 5,
Asian Community Advisor to New York City Mayor Dinkins
,
Board Member of Asian-American Business Development Center (AABDC),
Mercy College Board of trustee,
Board Member of Korean Youth Foundation (KYF) of New York.
He is also a voting member of AMCHAM, American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.
Board Member of International Federation of Ageing (IFA, Montreal Canada)
Board Member of Korean Gerontology Association
Board Member of Korean Social Welfare for the Aged
Board Member of Seoul City Volunteer Association
Presidential Committee on Ageing (Korea), and Committee Member of Social Enterprise of Ministry of Labor (MOL)
His is the author of (In Korean, 1998), “Learn from Americans” published in Korea.
Among many awards he has received, He is the recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor
with President Bill Clinton
1997, “the National Minority Retail Firm Award 1999” from US Department of Commerce, Governor’s Award of Excellence 2000 from New York State Governor, George Pataki
, and “Man of the Year 2000” by the Korean International YMCA in New York.
Myong Juch returned to Korea in late 2001, to serve as the President of KARP.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
affiliated with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. It is dedicated to serving the interests and needs of Koreans ages 50+.
Since its inception in 1996 in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, KARP has been active in providing tangible services not only to its members, but also to the communities as a whole. As a result, KARP has realized a significant growth from its original 20 charter members to its current base of approximately 100,000. This continually expanding membership base represents an impressive position within the ageing society in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
Organizational role
The primary objective of KARP is to assist and advocate Koreans and Korean-Americans in adapting their lifestyles as they age. Our association works both on a personal and a global level information exchange and clearinghouse on matters concerning ageingAgeing
Ageing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
, legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of life of the community. KARP also functions as a catalyst to further the mutually beneficial relationships between the NGOs of the United Nations around the globe. Through our activities on the local, national, and international level, our association is devoted to the betterment of the ageing Korean and Korean-American communities.
About founder
Myong Y. Juch, is the president of the KARP, a prominent NGO for people 50+ in Korea.He is on KBS Radio and JCBN television weekly basis with Ageing and other related Social issues.
As an immigrant early in eighties, he and his wife opened a delicatessen
Delicatessen
Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German,with the old German spelling , plural of Delikatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus....
in the upper West Side
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
and served his community.
He served two terms as President of Korean-American Grocer’s Association (KAGRO) which has membership of over 3,500 store owners in the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
.
In 1994, Myong Juch was elected as the 23rd President of the Korean-American Association of Greater New York (KAANY), to represent 450,000 Korean-Americans.
After serving his term, Myong became a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
Owner/Operator in New York City.
He was the first Korean to own and operate McDonald’s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Myong Juch has been a leader in developing service for the Korean-American community, as well as Asian and advocated to the local, state and federal government; and has been a community liaison with other ethnic group.
Myong Juch, holds a Master of Science degree from Mercy College
Mercy College
Mercy College can refer to:* Mercy College of Northwest Ohio* Mercy College , Sydney, NSW* Mercy College , Ireland* Mercy College , Dobbs Ferry, NY* Mercy College , Western Australia...
, and continued his education in Minority Business Executive Program at Tuck’s, Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Course at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
He was awarded Doctor of Commercial Science, honoris causa, from Mercy College, New York.
He has served as a board of directors with New York City Community Board 5,
Asian Community Advisor to New York City Mayor Dinkins
David Dinkins
David Norman Dinkins is a former politician from New York City. He was the Mayor of New York City from 1990 through 1993; he was the first and is, to date, the only African American to hold that office.-Early life:...
,
Board Member of Asian-American Business Development Center (AABDC),
Mercy College Board of trustee,
Board Member of Korean Youth Foundation (KYF) of New York.
He is also a voting member of AMCHAM, American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.
Board Member of International Federation of Ageing (IFA, Montreal Canada)
Board Member of Korean Gerontology Association
Board Member of Korean Social Welfare for the Aged
Board Member of Seoul City Volunteer Association
Presidential Committee on Ageing (Korea), and Committee Member of Social Enterprise of Ministry of Labor (MOL)
His is the author of (In Korean, 1998), “Learn from Americans” published in Korea.
Among many awards he has received, He is the recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and intended to pay homage to the immigrant experience. The medals honor the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children...
with President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
1997, “the National Minority Retail Firm Award 1999” from US Department of Commerce, Governor’s Award of Excellence 2000 from New York State Governor, George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
, and “Man of the Year 2000” by the Korean International YMCA in New York.
Myong Juch returned to Korea in late 2001, to serve as the President of KARP.
KARP activities
In our enduring commitment to serve our members, KARP continues to develop and implement innovative programs. These programs, both currently ongoing or being planned for the near future, include the following;- KARP’s Monthly Magazine
- Annual Award Banquet
- Membership Service Programs
- Domestic NGO Coalition
- UN & International NGO Coalition
- Cultural Exchanges
- Conventions
- Walk Korea; Walkthon
- Motor Korea
- WHO, The Global Embrace
- 456 Festival
- KARP Street Fair
- Seminars/Workshops