WATKAA News

[Election Notice] Election of the 50th WATKAA President and Officers (2027)

📅 Election: December 5, 2026, 11:00 AM (Annual General Meeting) | 📍 WATKAA Main Hall

In accordance with Article 34, Chapter 10 of the WATKAA Bylaws, we announce the election of the 50th President and officers for 2027. Candidate registration is open from October 20, 2026, 1:00 PM through November 5, 2026, 5:00 PM. Please see the official notice below (in Korean) for candidate eligibility, required documents, filing fees, and voter eligibility.

Contact: Election Committee Chair Seok Tae Jang, 253-380-8106

Tacoma Korean Community Center Title Corrected After 28 Years – 2026 Special General Meeting

📅 Sunday, October 4, 2026, 4:00 PM | 📍 WATKAA Cultural Center

The Washington-Tacoma Korean American Association (President Kyung Vincent) held its 2026 Special General Meeting and reported to members that the registered title of the Korean Community Center, which had remained under an old English name for 28 years, has been corrected to the association’s current name. Led by Secretary General SungKyo Kim and Board Chair Chong Dameron, and opened by General Assembly Chair Chong Ju Yi, the meeting drew 63 members (49 present and 14 by proxy), exceeding the quorum of 45.

Vice President Heejin Noh explained how the old English name recorded on the title when the center was purchased in 1998, ‘Korean U.S. Citizen’s Association of Washington State,’ was corrected. In February of this year, the Pierce County taxpayer name was updated first; then, after consulting an attorney, a Quit Claim Deed was signed and recorded in September. Both parcels of the center are now held under the name ‘Korean-American Association of Tacoma.’

She then reported on the application and progress of the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) grant. A bylaw amendment stating that “any change of ownership or disposal of a community center built or renovated with OKA support requires the prior consent of the competent diplomatic mission (the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle)” was passed unanimously by the members present.

Photos & source: Seattle Korean Daily

"Tacoma Four-Way Meeting" with New Deputy Consul General Song-joo Lee – Visit to the Korean-American Senior Citizens Association

📅 August 20, 2026 | 📍 Korean-American Senior Citizens Association (Lakewood)

Song-joo Lee, the newly appointed Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, chose the Korean-American Senior Citizens Association as her first visit to a Korean community organization. Four organizations — the Consulate General, the Korean Women's Association (KWA), WATKAA, and the Senior Citizens Association — came together to hear the center's most urgent needs, including paving the parking lot, heating and air-conditioning, and interior renovation, and pledged to work together. President Kyung Vincent named the gathering the "Tacoma Four-Way Meeting," calling it "a time to discuss how we can best care for our elders," and expressed hope that it would continue as an annual event rather than a one-time meeting. WATKAA also discussed donating one of its air conditioners to the senior center.

Photos: Seattle Korean Daily

New President Kyung Vincent Visits the Korean Women's Association (KWA)

📅 January 25, 2026

Kyung Vincent, newly appointed 49th President of WATKAA for 2026, visited the Meal Site of the Korean Women's Association (KWA), which has served a multiethnic meal program since 1980. In a special interview with KWA TV, President Vincent shared her New Year's greetings, her reasons for running for president, WATKAA's 2026 plans, her partnership with the Board of Directors, and her vision for community work together with KWA.

Video: KWA TV with us