Kaylynn Kim
Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project
The Port of Los Angeles celebrated its Centennial on December 9, 2007. As part of the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project, these interviews feature various members of the Los Angeles Harbor Area community who were interviewed in 2007 to document different eras in Port history.
National Capital Contracting
Kaylynn Kim was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Kaylynn Kim is a lawyer with the Allen Matkins law firm, specializing in real estate, finance, and transactions. Originally from Korea, Kim moved to the United States at the age of seventeen, first residing in Oklahoma, where she attended Oklahoma City University for her undergraduate studies. She later pursued chiropractic school in California before transitioning to a career in law. The interview covers Kim’s journey to becoming a commissioner for the Port of Los Angeles, a role that has significantly shaped her understanding of the port's economic and environmental impact. She discusses her initial exposure to the port through her husband, a former LAPD captain, and her subsequent appointment to the commission. Kim shares her observations on the port's unique position as a receiving hub, contrasting it with more diverse operations at other global ports like Hong Kong and Busan. She highlights the port's influence on local and national economies and reflects on the challenges of balancing environmental concerns with business efficiency. Throughout the interview, Kim emphasizes her passion for economic development, particularly her vision of transforming underutilized land around the port into a hub for green technology and sustainable development. She discusses the complexities of her role in balancing the interests of the business community, environmental advocates, and local residents. Kim also addresses the competitive landscape of global shipping and the potential future of the Port of Los Angeles, expressing cautious optimism about its long-term prospects despite short-term challenges.
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