‘An unknown giant’: The Sacramento Asian-American journalist who sought truth and justice | Opinion

I’ve known two important people in my life, and Kyung Won “K.W.” Lee is one of them. For over four decades, his larger-than-life presence affected me deeply. He was a mentor, an associate, a partner and a friend.

He died on March 8 at the age of 96 in Sacramento.

Lee immigrated to the United States in 1950. A student during his first five years here, he earned journalism degrees from West Virginia University and the University of Illinois.

After two years at a Tennessee newspaper, Lee was hired by the Charleston Gazette, the paper of record in West Virginia. For 15 years, the so-called “Chinaman” investigative reporter made waves by tirelessly finding corruption in government, unions, businesses or anywhere else victims of race and poverty were found. His articles spawned indictments and legislative changes.

In 1956, while out on assignment, Lee met an emergency room nurse, Peggy Flowers. Their love blossomed, and for 60 years, she was his rock. The two went on to have three children together. A dogged reporter dedicated to work needed solidity and balance at home. Peggy was the yin to his yang.

‘Heat-seeking missile’

As a Korean reporter in the Deep South in the ‘50s and ‘60s, Lee became a pioneer. In 1970, local Mingo County, West Virginia official Huey Perry said, “The day K.W. Lee left for California, the people wept. They knew he had done what he came to do.”

Hired by The Sacramento Union in 1970, Lee immediately made a mark, making headlines that impacted nuclear power, welfare policy and legislative pensions. His landmark 51-part series in 1974, “Under the Golden Dome,” pierced every hidden corner of excessive spending and special privilege rampant in state government. His editor called him “a heat-seeking missile.” Over the years, he garnered more than 40 awards for journalism.

Chol Soo Lee

In 1973, he learned of a Korean immigrant youth who was charged in a Chinese gangland-style murder in San Francisco. For several years, he investigated and dug for facts. Through his dogged reporting, it became clear to Lee that the youth who was charged, Chol Soo Lee, was innocent. It was a “they all look alike” mistake enabled by sloppy police work.

In prison, Chol Soo Lee killed an inmate in self-defense. He was shipped to San Quentin’s Death Row. But K.W. Lee kept writing articles about his case — nearly 100 at The Union and later in Los Angeles at Koreatown Weekly — which galvanized a large and active pan-Asian group of supporters. These Asian Americans knew discrimination firsthand. And, as a result of the reporter’s investigations, the San Francisco murder case was overturned. Chol Soo Lee walked out of San Quentin in May of 1983.

Lee practiced “Colombo” style tactics. Seemingly naïve and wide-eyed, in truth he knew how to pinch important details from those he interviewed. One particularly special skill was finding that unheralded, secret source — maybe an office clerk — who shared his disgust with corruption and abuse. These important but unknown common folks supplied Lee with the necessary evidence to nail wrongdoers in every corner of society.

Lee’s style was his own. He was boisterous, loud and bawdy in his language and sense of humor, and he was beloved by all. He dressed the part of those he loved and worked to help — the afflicted, and the downtrodden. His work came first. Money meant little to him, and he lived near the poverty line for years.

An unknown giant

Despite 50 years churning out important stories that made a difference, Lee was an unknown giant in journalism. Those who did know him revere his memory and work. An important documentary film, “Free Chol Soo Lee,” debuted at Sundance in 2022 to wide acclaim. It has since aired on PBS and in more than 20 countries.

His work has inspired Asian-American journalists and social activism. Supporters in 2003 created the K.W. Lee Center for Leadership in Los Angeles, which offers “youth leadership training and educational programs that encourage community organizing.”

I lived with Lee for two years in Los Angeles as we established Koreatown Weekly, the first English language newspaper for Koreans in America. For 40 years, I collaborated on projects with him. I knew both the public Lee and his private side.

I’ll forever miss him.

This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM.