The “3rd Koreatown Day Celebration” took place at Yongsusan Restaurant in Los Angeles, bringing together long-time leaders and community members from the Korean-American community. The attendees gathered to honor Koreatown’s 52-year history and reflect on its cultural and historical significance.
The event was hosted by the Los Angeles Korean American National Museum (KANM), led by director Min Byung-yong, and was attended by approximately 40 people.
Notable figures included Cha Jong-hwan, president of the Korean-American Educational Research Institute; Choi Se-o, former president of the Koreatown Business Improvement District; Lee Han-jong, president of the Korean-American Old-Timers Association; and Clara Won, chair of the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation.
In 2018, the Los Angeles City Council officially designated December 8 as “Koreatown Day.” This date is significant as it commemorates two milestones: the establishment of the Koreatown Business Improvement District in 1972 and the passage of the Koreatown zoning plan by the Los Angeles City Council in 1980.
This year’s celebration marked the first Koreatown Day event in five years. After the proclamation of Koreatown Day in 2018 and the second celebration in 2019, the event was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Min Byung-yong emphasized during the event, “Koreatown is a symbol of the dreams and sacrifices of the Korean-American community. Koreatown Day is not just a commemorative date—it is a day to reinforce our community’s unity and reaffirm our shared identity.” He added, “I hope this celebration will inspire future generations to continue the traditions and legacy of Koreatown.”
Consul Kwon Min from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles also delivered a congratulatory speech. He stated, “The existence of Koreatown provided a unifying space that allowed the Korean-American community to overcome challenging times together, such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots.” He further remarked, “This space has grown alongside the city’s multicultural community and will play a pivotal role in the development of the greater Los Angeles area.”
The event also included discussions on the future of Koreatown. Clara Won, chair of the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation, emphasized the need for spaces that preserve and promote Korean culture and history.
She stated, “Koreatown must serve as a cultural hub that showcases Korean traditions and heritage to the world.” She proposed creating a traditional Korean village or a multicultural festival space within Koreatown to strengthen its role as a cultural and community center.
BY HANKIL KANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
