[Photo&] 'Pachinko' Min Jin Lee, the Only Korean Appointed to Mayor's Inauguration Committee "Confident in Change"

Min Jin Lee (57), a Korean-American author who gained worldwide fame with her novel 'Pachinko', has been appointed as the only Korean to the inauguration committee of Mayor-elect Joran Mamdan (34). The author expressed strong confidence in Mamdan, who will be inaugurated on January 1, stating, "I believe she will promote positive change and greater innovation."

In a written interview with Yonhap News on the 27th (local time), the author stated, "I hope Mamdan will protect all immigrants and New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable."

The author emphasized, "This great city (New York) was built and nurtured by the hard work of immigrants over generations."

Regarding the recent 'K-Culture' craze, she remarked, "It is amazing to witness the rise of K-Culture in my lifetime," but added, "The only disappointing part is that it does not represent the reality and life experiences of all Koreans around the world, not just on the Korean Peninsula."

Born in Seoul in 1968 and immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 7, Min Jin Lee pursued a career as a lawyer after studying history at Yale University and attending Georgetown Law School before becoming a writer. The New York State Writers Association selected her as the 'State Author' representing New York State last June.