After securing a fourth guilty plea in a pay-to-play scheme at Atlanta City Hall and indicting a Cobb County man who allegedly tried to arrange the murder of his ex-wife, Byung J. “BJay” Pak has finally been sworn in publicly.

Pak took the oath as the Northern District of Georgia's top law enforcement officer and the state's first Asian-American U.S. attorney during an overflow ceremony at the federal courthouse Friday afternoon. He was sworn in privately shortly after his U.S. Senate confirmation last fall. 

“When I reflect upon my journey … all I can say is, 'Wow. How did I get here?'” Pak said moments after taking the oath administered by Senior Judge Richard Mills of the Central District of Illinois in Springfield, for whom Pak clerked after graduating from law school.

“'How great of a nation is this?' In no other country can a shy immigrant boy grow up to [hold] a position that bestows the honor of representing the people of the United States.”

Pak, who until his confirmation was a partner at Chalmers Pak Burch & Adams, emigrated with his family from Seoul, South Korea, when he was 9.

He spent six years as a federal prosecutor in the office he now leads—a career move that stemmed from a sense of duty instilled in him by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Mills shared personal anecdotes about Pak, including the fact that he has a “mean, accurate and powerful” golf drive, before declaring: “Nothing gives me greater pleasure and pride than to be here today in launching you upon your latest, greatest endeavor.”

Han Choi, a partner of Pak's when Pak was at Ballard Spahr, spoke of his friend's strong sense of service, willingness to collaborate and ability to sacrifice.

“I am certain he will make the same sacrifices as our U.S. attorney: big, small or personal.”