The dinner at the Oxford Palace Hotel, hosted by a Clinton support group chaired by Richard Park, drew attention as it was the first Koreatown fund-raiser for a major American presidential hopeful. It was reportedly the highest-earning fund-raiser ever in Koreatown.

The event not only demonstrated the rising political clout of the Korean community in the U.S., but also encouraged Korean Americans in Southern California to participate in mainstream American politics, people said.

It was the first time a powerful presidential contender like Hillary Clinton has ever visited Koreatown during a campaign -- an event that seldom occurs in the Chinese or Japanese communities in the U.S. Many of the attendees said it was a meaningful moment because they were able to convey to Clinton the hopes and needs of the Korean community.

Clinton promised to make South Korea her first overseas stop if she won the election. She urged Korean Americans to vote for her and promised reforms in health care and education. She also shared her views on international issues such as the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and the Iraq War.

After she finished speaking, Clinton was presented with a hanbok, or traditional Korean dress. "Wonderful! Wonderful!" she said, to the delight of the audience. The hanbok was created by designer Kim Young-suk and made of jade and undyed silk. The chima, or skirt, and jeogori, or jacket, featured hand-embroidered flower patterns.

Chima and jeogori are normally made of different colors, but Clinton's dress was made from undyed silk to add a formal tone. The colors were selected to focus on Clinton's fair skin and energetic image.

The dress appeared especially luxurious thanks to the hand-stitched embroidery. The coat string was crimson and the undershirt inside the jeogori was decorated with jade instead of a simple button knot, the designer said.

(englishnews@chosun.com )