Korea – Time of Struggle
John Lim, growing up with parents, four brothers, and a sister, learned early the value of cooperation and hard work. The family worked together as farmers and operated the only sawmill in the small town of Yeoju, South Korea where Lim was born in 1935.
When he was in the 8th grade, the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950. His father, Eun Kyu Lim, was forced to serve as a firefighter under the North Korean military occupation for three months. Because of this reason, John Lim’s father was executed without trial by the South Korean police right after North Korean soldiers were pushed back to the North.
The Lim family worked hard to make ends meet without his father. John Lim even worked for U.S. soldiers to pay for high school tuition. As well, John Lim worked as a Student Chaplain for a U.S. missile base to pay for school at Seoul Theological College.
U.S.A. – Humble Beginning
John Lim came to America with his wife, Grace Lim, in 1966. They did not have any money. John came to study a Master’s in Divinity at Western Evangelical Seminary (now George Fox University.) During this time he worked as a janitor, house painter, and gardener. You name it; he did it! Later, John Lim was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Western Evangelical Seminary.
Entrepreneur
Starting at the bottom taught John Lim to be creative and to be grateful for the opportunities in America. John started three businesses: a “Mom and Pop” store, a real estate company, and American Royal Jelly Company. American Royal Jelly Company was an international health and beauty supply business. American Royal Jelly became a multi-million dollar enterprise and the Lim family achieved the American Dream.
Public Servant
In 1990, John Lim began to serve in public office. He ran for the nomination of the Republican candidate for the gubernatorial race. John Lim’s plan was to get his name out for the first time. He was right. In 1992, after having run for Governor, John Lim ran for State Senator in Multnomah County’s District 11, which was a strong Democrat seat. Amazingly, as a Republican, he garnered 60% of the vote. He became the first Korean-American as a first generation immigrant to serve in any State Senate in the U.S. He served in the Oregon Senate from 1993-2000. He later served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2005-2007. In both House and Senate, he chaired trade and economic development committees. John Lim also led five trade missions to Asia during his tenure.
Running for Governor
John Lim is tenacious, humble, generous, and a strong leader, in addition to possessing a good sense of humor. It will be twenty years since he first ran for Governor. This time, he is running for Governor to win. He started in the political arena running for Governor and wants to finish by becoming a Governor.
John Lim has been a good family man, successful businessman, sacrificial volunteer for society, and experienced in both Senate and House. He has a plan to help the state of Oregon – the best in the nation. He believes that we cannot accomplish all dreams we pursue, but without any dreams nothing is accomplished.
Candidate and Mrs. Lim have three children and four grandchildren. They have lived in the Portland, OR area for the last forty-four years. John Lim accomplished the American Dream that many people thought impossible.