Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has announced nomination of Soohyun "Julie" Koo as the director of the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (APIA). Ms. Koo was named to the post after serving as the office's interim director of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs since Fenty took office in January.

Prior to her interim position, she was the deputy director of the office. Fluent in Korean and Chinese, Ms. Koo has used her trilingual language skills to aid other Asian immigrants adjust to living in America .Ms. Koo is known as a leader who is sensitive to the needs of ethnic communities and has an in-depth understanding about the District’s Asian and Pacific Islander community. Ms. Koo has worked closely with community-based organizations, community activists, business leaders, and other government agencies and officials at all levels to increase community access to city services and civic participation.