The Irvine-based nonprofit Korean American Center, which specializes in teaching Korean language and culture, owns the distinction Thursday as the only center of its type in the nation to be fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
“For far too long, Korean language education lacked the recognition it deserves. This accreditation finally changes that,” Tammy Kim, KAC’s executive director and former vice mayor of Irvine, said in a statement. “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.”
School officials said the accreditation means the center’s education programs are “backed by a formal system of quality assurance and continuous improvement,” validating the strength of its programs.
“For our students, this recognition sends a powerful message: that learning Korean is just as serious, valid, and meaningful as any other world language,” lead instructor Sunny Paek said in a statement. “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.”
The center has been designated as a King Sejong Institute by the South Korean government since 2018. It previously operated the STARTALK program, a national effort funded by the National Security Agency to support instruction in critical-need languages.
KAC was founded in 2015 and “serves as a bridge for cultural understanding and Korean language learning through education, engagement, and advocacy,” according to the facility. The center offers Korean language instruction for students ranging from pre-K to adults, along with cultural workshops and enrichment programs.