I was born in Columbus, Ohio, raised in Korea, and moved back to the States at 18. I served in the Army for four years as a supply specialist, including a year in Iraq. After completing my degree at a university in California, I spent a year in the bay area as an AmeriCorps member, carrying out home repair services for underserved communities.

Most of my years have been rooted in public service, with a long-term career in government and public policy in mind. Like many veterans who continued in public service, I had a strong faith in the effectiveness and stability of American institutions. But that belief was recalibrated by an unexpected encounter—one that showed me how institutions can override dignity and agency through force, leaving people vulnerable and in the dark. The experience was coercive and institutional.

Still, it didn’t shake my belief in the need for strong institutions. Instead, it sharpened my focus. I became committed to working on the system from within—especially where it fails to uphold what it promises: to protect dignity and empower people. I plan to study law to better understand how legal frameworks shape the way we live and how institutions can be made more just, accessible, and humane. My long-term goal is public service, legal education, and systems that make sense to the people they’re meant to serve.

At the moment, I’m based in Korea, where I teach American civics and English to Korean students and adults. My curriculum is designed for those curious about the shared foundations of Korean and American civic life and legal systems, the role of informed citizenship, and how civic awareness shapes everyday life. Whether students are exploring how civic systems work across cultures or simply want to understand American civic values as a lens to examine their own more critically, my goal is to offer clarity and structure that help people engage systems with understanding and self-respect—across borders.

This is personal work born of experience, and it’s work I intend to continue in law school and beyond.

Best,

Michael