Korean Independence Legacy (KIL) was founded by Diann Rowland, a fourth-generation Korean Mayan American, and Inja Yim, a descendant of Korean independence activists. Brought together by a shared passion for uncovering and honoring their family histories, Diann and Inja created KIL to celebrate the legacy of early Korean migrants in the Americas, preserve the memories of migration, and strengthen community bonds across generations and borders.

The name KIL is not only an acronym—it’s also the Korean word for “road” or “path” (길). This dual meaning speaks to our mission—to honor the roads of history while forging new paths that connect past and present, guided by the spirit of one journey, one heart.

Our work includes:

• Organizing diaspora trips that foster personal and historical reconnection

• Conducting archival and oral history research to preserve the stories of early Korean emigrants

• One Journey, our media platform that shares stories, creative projects, and educational materials that bring this history to life

We are a registered 501(c)(3) organization in the state of California.