Chuck Grassley awkwardly tells Korean-American judge that 'you and your people' should be proud of 'hard work ethic'

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Wednesday awkwardly complimented judicial nominee Lucy Koh by saying that he's heard that Koreans have strong work ethics.

Via Huffington Post, Grassley started off his remarks at Koh's Senate hearing by immediately talking about her ethnic background.

"What you said about your ethnic background reminds me of what my daughter-in-law of 45 years has said: 'If I learned anything from Korean people, it's a hard work ethic and how you can make a lot out of nothing,'" he said. "So I congratulate you and your people."

"Thank you," replied Koh.

Koh, who was born in Washington D.C. and whose mother was a refugee from North Korea, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

If confirmed, Koh will be the first Korean-American woman to serve as a federal appellate judge.

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