"The leadership in Southern California's real estate industry is increasingly transitioning to a younger generation. I am committed to working with a spirit of service to provide practical support to real estate professionals and the Korean American community."

Jin Hong, who was recently elected as the 35th president of the Korean Real Estate Brokers Association of Southern California (KREBA), shared these remarks in an interview during his recent visit to our office. Last month, on the 11th, the association held its 4th regular board meeting and elected new leadership for 2025. Jin Hong, the incoming president, and Ethan Baek, the new chairman, will lead the association for the next year.

Jin Hong, who immigrated to the U.S. during middle school, is a 1.5-generation Korean American. He obtained his real estate agent license in 2005 and brings over 20 years of experience to the table. At 39, Hong will be the youngest president in the history of the association.

When asked about his leadership vision for the association, Hong emphasized the keyword "generation shift." As a 30-something himself, he aims to continuously bring in younger agents and naturally facilitate a generational transition. "The leadership of the association is shifting to a younger generation, with an increasing number of 30- and 40-year-old executives," Hong noted. "I will expand the roles for the younger generation from the start of my term, increasing networking and mentoring opportunities."

Hong also plans to increase educational opportunities for association members and broaden the community's reach. "Many new agents are unsure of the steps to take after passing the licensing exam," he explained. "The association will offer knowledge on everything from escrow and insurance to networking, passing on valuable know-how."

Under Hong’s leadership, the 35th association plans to hold regular seminars and workshops to provide education on the latest real estate trends, legal updates, and technology. The association will also offer workshops on how to use cutting-edge tools such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, social media, and marketing automation tools to enhance technical skills.

To expand networking opportunities, the association will introduce a mentoring system, connecting experienced real estate professionals with new members to foster continued growth and development. Incoming Chairman Ethan Baek stated, "We will build an environment that promotes collaboration among members in various real estate transactions."

Hong also stressed the importance of strengthening the association’s financial stability, explaining that they plan to secure diverse funding sources to organize events for both members and the general public. "We will ensure transparency in financial management to gain members' trust and provide regular financial reports," he said. "Once financial resources are secured, we plan to organize a variety of educational and promotional events, like expos, for the Korean American community."

In addition, Hong outlined his vision for contributing to the development of the Korean American community by collaborating with local organizations. "We will enhance the capabilities of Korean American agents to ensure that the community can more conveniently access real estate services," he concluded.

By Reporter Hongyong Park

<Hongyong Park>