Until this year, the organizations were unable to reconcile their differences and focused on separate aspects of Korean and Korean-American experiences.

Yisei-a bi-annual magazine addressing the concerns of Korean-Americans-was launched independently in 1988.

Koreans of Harvard-Radcliffe was the precursor of KSA.

KACC, a group devoted to traditional culture and also educational discussion of Korean and Korean-American issues, was formed independently in 1993.

KSA became a socially oriented organization, while KACC became a more culturally-and academically-oriented organization, with a discussion group and a traditional drumming group, members said.

Chun-sa, a traditional Korean fan dance group, was established five years ago.

Yisei is still debating to what extent it will be involved in KA. However, Yunsam Nam '99, editor-in-chief of Yisei, was emphatic about interacting with KA.

"It's important for Yisei to be in close contact with the other Korean groups to have greater support," she said. "Also, this way Yisei will be a more representative forum."

Cho said that despite the lack of unity in the past, he is confident that this time the new organization will last.

"Whatever the historical reasons for the break," he said, "our feeling is that things don't have to continue this way.