The Los Angeles City Council has officially adopted a resolution recognizing October 9 as Hangul Day, also known as Korean Alphabet Day.
At 10 a.m. on October 6, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed the resolution, which had been introduced by Korean American Councilmember John Lee (12th District). The adoption was followed by a special proclamation ceremony to honor Hangul Day.
Councilmember Lee presided over the proclamation ceremony, which saw the participation of more than 300 individuals, including 10th District Councilmember Heather Hutt, Chairman of the Imperial Cultural Foundation Lee Seok (grandson of Emperor Gojong of Korea), Consul General Youngwan Kim, LA Korean Education Center Director Jeonhoon Kang, Foundation for Korean Language & Culture in USA President Monica Ryoo, as well as Korean language class students from Chatsworth High School.
Consul General Kim expressed his pleasure at the recognition of Hangul Day by the LA City Council during the proclamation ceremony, saying, “I hope that the designation of Hangul Day will encourage more citizens to engage with the Korean community and enjoy Korean culture.”
He added, “It is especially meaningful for the Korean community that Hangul Day was established this year as the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Korea Alliance. We look forward to seeing the City of Los Angeles become more diverse and inclusive.”
“Hangul was created 600 years ago to help the illiterate read and write, to empower the general public, and to unite the country,” Consul General Kim continued. “Just as Los Angeles is a city of all people with equal access to justice, resources, and opportunity, so too is its legacy. Hangul is an important tool that not only increases diversity but also brings about greater financial and social prosperity.”
Monica Ryoo, President of the Foundation for Korean Language & Culture in USA, expressed her views on the LA City Council’s recognition of Hangul Day, stating, “The LA City Council’s recognition and celebration of Hangul Day is an important step toward promoting Korean language education in our public schools.”
After the proclamation, Councilmember Lee shared his thoughts, saying, “As a Korean American councilmember and a representative of a district with a large Korean population, I believe it is important to recognize the unique and beautiful Korean language and culture.”
He added, “I hope that through this opportunity, the Korean community’s contributions to the City of Los Angeles and Korean culture and language will be widely recognized by the citizens of Los Angeles.”
BY NICOLE CHANG [chang.nicole@koreadaily.com]
