by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
The New York City Council voted on Wednesday and approved to declare Jan. 13 as Korean American Day in the city, reports the New York Daily News.
The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the first Korean immigrants’ arrival to the U.S. According to the council, about 100 men, women and children left Korea sailed across the Pacific Ocean and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan. 13, 1903.
Councilman Peter Koo (center) with Korean American leaders in New York City.
(Photo courtesy of the Office of City Councilman Peter Koo)
The designation was first introduced by Councilman Peter Koo, who represents District 20 in Queens, where there is a growing Korean American population. When lobbying for the proposed measure, Koo noted that Korean Americans operate and own nearly 24,000 businesses in New York, making the state have the second highest number of Korean-owned businesses in the country.
Many Korean American community leaders said the move showed respect to the hardworking Korean immigrants who have made tremendous contributions to the city’s economy.
“For the past three decades, the hard work and good nature of Korean-Americans have contributed greatly to the quality of life for residents of New York whether they have realized it or not,” said Sung Min, president of the Korean American Association of Greater New York. “Today marks an important step that will enable our community to join the mainstream and move forward together.”
Photo courtesy of the Korean American Association of Greater New York
