EXHIBIT 99.1

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor
Protection Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C 1350, as adopted), Benjamin Hong, Chief
Executive Officer of Nara Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") hereby certifies that,
to the best of their knowledge:

         1.       The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  December 31, 2002, and to which this Certification is attached
                  as Exhibit 99.1 (the "Periodic Report"), fully complies with
                  the requirements of section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

         2.       The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly
                  presents, in all material respects, the financial condition
                  and results of operations of the Company.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have set their hands hereto as of
         the 27th day of March, 2003.

                                                    /s/ Benjamin Hong

                                                    --------------------------
                                                    Chief Executive Officer