Korean American Center Becomes First WASC-Accredited Korean Language Center in the United States

Designation marks a turning point in national recognition of Korean language education in the U.S.

IRVINE, Calif., May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Korean American Center, a leading nonprofit dedicated to Korean language and cultural education has been granted full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). With this achievement, KAC becomes the first Korean language center in the United States to receive this prestigious recognition.

"For far too long, Korean language education lacked the recognition it deserves. This accreditation finally changes that," said Tammy Kim, KAC's Executive Director and former Vice Mayor of Irvine. "It affirms that Korean belongs alongside the world's most respected languages—and that our students, many of whom are discovering their identity and reclaiming their heritage, deserve access to instruction that is both academically excellent and culturally rooted. It's about more than language—it's about Korean pride, visibility, and validation."

Since 2018, the center has been designated as a King Sejong Institute by the South Korean government and previously operated the STARTALK program, a selective national initiative funded by the National Security Agency to support instruction in critical-need languages.

Elizabeth Oberreiter, Chair of the WASC Visiting Committee, stated: "KAC exemplifies how strong community partnerships and culturally relevant programming can foster meaningful, intergenerational learning. The leadership at KAC is both visionary and grounded, having built a program that not only meets the highest standards of educational excellence but also sets a national bar for what community-based language education can look like."

KAC Lead Instructor Sunny Paek added, "For our students, this recognition sends a powerful message: that learning Korean is just as serious, valid, and meaningful as any other world language. As a teacher, it's deeply gratifying to know that our work is now backed by a system of accountability and excellence that honors both language and culture."

WASC accreditation ensures that all learners—whether reconnecting with their heritage or pursuing personal or professional goals—can now receive instruction backed by a formal system of quality assurance and continuous improvement. WASC accreditation validates the integrity of a school's program and transcripts, and assures a community that the school's goals are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program.

About WASC: The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States, works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. WASC provides assistance to schools worldwide, especially in California, Hawaii, Guam, Asia, the Pacific Region, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.  To learn more, please visit the WASC website at www.acswasc.org.

About Korean American Center (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Irvine, California, dedicated to empowering the Korean American community by fostering connections between intergenerational Korean Americans and the broader community. Founded in 2015, KAC serves as a bridge for cultural understanding and Korean language learning through education, engagement, and advocacy. KAC provides Korean language instruction from Pre-K to adults, cultural workshops, and enrichment programs. Learn more at: www.koreanamericancenter.org

Contact:

Tammy Kim

310-701-7446

[email protected]

SOURCE Korean American Center