Introducing Robert Kim, council candidate in Kingston for May 2022 local elections

Editor: Welcome to Chinese Liberal Democrats, founded in 2006 to reach out to Chinese, East and SE Asians in the UK. Please tell us a bit of your background and cultural heritage, when you came to the UK and what you are doing at the moment professionally?

Robert: I am a Korean British and came into the UK in 1995. I have advised the governments and utilities on their preparation and project development as a UK Solicitor specialized in Energy and Infrastructure project development. I have also served for Charities as a trustee, such as Kingston Race and Equality Council, London Korean School.

Editor: That is so interesting. When did you get more involved in working within your Korean community, and can you share a bit more about the needs and concerns of the people you have been in touch with?

Robert: Since I came into the UK I have helped and advised Korean people in the UK on their problems as an interpreter or lawyer. From 2009 to 2010 I worked as vice chairman of the Korean Resident Society. Some Koreans living in the UK worry about the situation increasing anti social behaviours as some of them were even attacked on the street, specially racially motivated and aggravated since Trump and COVID 19 emerged.

Editor: We understand that you are standing to be Councillor in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Could you tell us what motivated you to get more involved in local politics and what you hope to achieve should you be successful in May 2022?

Robert: I have lived in the UK for 27 years and tried to improve the situation of Koreans living in the UK, especially with the issues of race and equality. However, I found it very hard to explain and change the status quo unless you become one of them who will involve and participate in the process of changing and improving the situation. That's why I decided to stand to be a Councillor in May. I would like to work, change, and improve the situation myself rather than relying on or waiting for others doing this work for us.

Editor: That is so admirable. You mentioned racism since the Covid 19 pandemic. Have you encountered any racism yourself or to people you know? What message do you have for people who have been victims of racism in the UK?

Robert: I heard a story from a friend of mine who was attacked and yelled at on the street. She was yelled to go back to China and became nervous to step out of her house afterward. We need to do something for not only Sinophobia but also racism generally which can lead to Xenophobia motivated by distorted interests for certain people.

Editor: China has often featured in international news. Do you have any views on the geopolitical scene and on the rise of China?

Robert: I think the media concerns in the Western press, especially about Sino American antagonism, are mostly exaggerated and even sometimes biased by their interests as I usually found similarities in the articles about the situation of North and South Korea.

Though U.S.- China rivalries seem to be unavoidable, I hope U.S. and China can take more steps to expand channels for communication, increase dialogues and direct people to people exchange, diplomatic flexibility in managing disputes, and discourage unnecessarily inflammatory and incendiary rhetoric against the other side.

All Korean living in South and North Korea or overseas are aspiring for the reunification of the peninsula soon. As an Anglo Korean I really hope that the proclamation of the ending of Korean war at least can be made with the help of US and China sooner or later.

Editor: Finally, looking ahead, please share any wishes you may have for 2022?

Robert: As we look back at last 2 years, we see the world fighting against the COVID-19 and its powerful impact on our life around the world. Globally this pandemic has killed 5.5 million people among 320 million people infected while it has made 8.6 billion vaccine doses administered.

WHO data shows that the vaccine doses have been administered 18 times more in high-income countries than low-income countries. Nevertheless, the toll of dead and infected in high income countries significantly outnumbers the one of the counterparts. Delayed recovery from the pandemic will subsequently deprive frustrated youths in developing countries of a lost decade of development, education, employment and so on.

In the fight against this pandemic, we have to be proactive and learn more about the world around us, volunteer for activities that improve the situation of unequal and unjust distribution of resources and opportunities.

I hope, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, age etc, we together help each other improve the situation of unequal and unjust distribution of resources and opportunities and make the world a better and safer place where everyone enjoys a happy life soon.

Editor: Thanks again for speaking to us and good luck in May 2022!

If anyone would like to help with Robert Kim's campaign please contact us via info@chineselibdems.org.uk .