Irvine City Staffer Politicking on City’s Dime

Councilmember Melinda Liu, in District 1, hired former Council member Tammy Kim’s chief of staff  — Evette Kim — when Liu was elected in 2024.  To avoid confusion, future references to the last name “Kim” mean Yvette.

On March 19, a Thursday, a source noted an Instagram Post by Yvette Kim and took a screen grab at 12:45 PM. Kim’s post, on her personal Instagram feed, was three hours earlier at 9:45 am and it was a translation of a Korean-language newspaper interview with former Irvine Mayor and Council member Sukhee Kang.  The post then offered Kim’s thoughts on the English translation.  Kang is running for city council in District 1 as Liu is up for re-election this fall.

Now I wish the screengrab I got was bigger or easiler to read; it’s posted above.  Here’s a transcript for you:

There are about 29,000 voters in Disrict 1, 43% of the Democratic Party, 34% of the Republican Party. and 23% of the non-partisans.  He predicted, “Assuming a voting rate of 60%, there is a chance of winning if it is around 8,000 votes.”  The campaign slogan was “Mayor is back.”  As an election strategy, we will promte social media alomg with traditional Gagahcho visits.

Ample campaign funds are essential, but the personal donation limit is limited to $650 ($1300 for couples). So securing a wide range of supporters is the key. Heappealed for support, saying, “The unchanging support of the Korean community and the active voters of about1,700 Korean voters in District 1 are important.”

Former Mayor Kang said, “This is the last chance for me and Aegrun (sic) to be elected with the city councilor and mayor.” and said “I will definitely win and challenge the 2028 mayoral election where Mayor Aegrun (sic) will retire due to the term limit.”

 

Then, Kim’s comment appears in black boxes:

Translation of a Korean newspaper article  announcing our opponents campaign. He’s already talking aboutrunning for mayor in two years, which makes it clear he’s willing to leave the position he’s seeking now for his own convenience and ambition.

I strongly believe in electing Korean American candidates and ensuring our community is represented.  But that also means investing in the next generation, not supporting an 85-year old candidate whose motvation appears to be personal rather than public service. I’ve also heard from multiple people that he’s been searchnig for a position over the past year and this campaign was more of a fallback.

When I’m 85, I hope I’m spending my time uplifting and supporting the next generation (heart emoji)

 

In the city of Irvine’s social media policy, the second item that’s prohibited is any reference to political posts or political candidates (eitehr for or against), but this applies to city-owned social media sites, not personal ones.

There’s several concerns over Kim’s personal page Instagram post, and I’ll use her words here: whose motivation appears to be personal rather than public service.  If Kang wins, Kim is out of a job.  If Liu didn’t pluck her from the tatters of Tammy Kim’s mayor loss, she’d be working elsewhere today.  Evette Kim is he city staff who allegedly got into a spat with a city resident who frquently spoke abotu aganst Kim’s then boss Tammy Kim.  Cops got involved, no charges filed.

The city manager’s office confrimed for me via a PRA that Evette Yim had worked a full day on March 19; there was no subsequent amendment to her schedule for PTO

To clear up a few things:

• Kang is 72, not 85.
• Kang’s record of public service spans more than a decade, so to suggest his run for office is personal rather than public service simply means you don’t really know his record in city government.
• Kang’s last position was with the Biden Administration which took him away from Irvine, so for the past year, Kang has enjoyed some PTO.
• Investing in the next generation for Kim applies only if it uplifts candidates or officials Kim works for; the Irvine resident she got into it with in 2024 is younger and politically active and Korean.
• To make derogatory statements about an opponent based on race or gender is bigoted and misogynist; and falsely portraying Kang is 85 instead of 72 is dishonest and ageist.  Disney’s Bob Iger just stepped down.  He’s 75.  He wasn’t too old. And neither is Kang.
• Lastly, and most importantly, Kim posted this while she’s on the clock as Melinda Liu’s Chief of Staff during the business day.  Save it for after hours or the weekend please.  If she were involved in city business using federal funds, this is a Hatch Act violation.  As I am a resident of District 1 and Liu is my district council member, WTAF.
• A reminder to Liu and Kim — voters over 60 can always be counted on to submit a ballot.  Insulting them for their age doesn’t help.
• My question for Council member Liu — why are you allowing your chief of staff to write politically-charged social media posts while she’s working for you on the city’s clock?  Fix this.