The San Francisco & Bay Area Korea Center (President Jonathan H. Kim, hereafter SFBAKC) recently met with Tak Hee Ko, President of the Federation of Korean Associations in China, to discuss strengthening cooperation among overseas Koreans, expanding the global Korean network, and securing voting rights for overseas citizens.
According to a press release from the SFBAKC, President Takhee Ko—who represents a coalition of six regional Korean associations in China encompassing 62 local Korean community groups and over 80 members—visited the SFBAKC on the 25th. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on collaborative initiatives for the Korean diaspora.
During the visit, President Jonathan H Kim introduced President Ko to the statues displayed at the Korea Center, including those of prominent Korean independence figures such as Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho, Jang In-hwan, Jeon Myeong-un, Kim Jong-rim, Pastor Dae-Wee Lee, and Dr. Ilhan New. Kim emphasized that “San Francisco is the birthplace of Korean immigration to the United States and served as a key center for the Korean independence movement during the Japanese occupation. Through these statues, we strive to instill pride in the next generation by honoring the achievements of our immigrant ancestors.”
SFBAKC Secretary General Soon Ran Kim added, “We have been supporting Korean language education by funding Korean language classes at Lowell High School, one of San Francisco’s most prestigious public schools. Additionally, with recent renovations completed at the Korea Center, we plan to host cultural lectures and recreational programs for the local Korean community.”
President Ko also joined President Kim and Secretary General Kim in visiting San Francisco City Hall, the site of the upcoming 80th anniversary celebration of Korean Liberation Day on August 16. During the tour of the Rotunda, where the ceremony will take place, they met with San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood for a brief conversation.
Commenting on the upcoming celebration, President Kim said, “This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, and we plan to organize a joint celebration with local Korean organizations, making it a grand community festival. We will invite not only Korean seniors and students but also members of the broader community, featuring high-quality performances to showcase Korea’s development and cultural excellence, reinforcing our identity as a valuable part of the local community.”
After visiting the Korea Center and the Rotunda, President Ko remarked, “I was deeply impressed by the work being done by President Kim and the SFBAKC to promote the excellence of the Korean people both within and beyond the Korean community.” He added, “We must continue to unite Koreans around the world to grow together in harmony.”
President Ko, who is also a co-chair of the upcoming World Korean Leaders Convention in October, is visiting Korean communities across the Americas to discuss building a stronger global Korean network. After completing his visit to San Francisco, he headed to Beijing, his next destination.
According to a press release from the SFBAKC, President Takhee Ko—who represents a coalition of six regional Korean associations in China encompassing 62 local Korean community groups and over 80 members—visited the SFBAKC on the 25th. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on collaborative initiatives for the Korean diaspora.
During the visit, President Jonathan H Kim introduced President Ko to the statues displayed at the Korea Center, including those of prominent Korean independence figures such as Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho, Jang In-hwan, Jeon Myeong-un, Kim Jong-rim, Pastor Dae-Wee Lee, and Dr. Ilhan New. Kim emphasized that “San Francisco is the birthplace of Korean immigration to the United States and served as a key center for the Korean independence movement during the Japanese occupation. Through these statues, we strive to instill pride in the next generation by honoring the achievements of our immigrant ancestors.”
SFBAKC Secretary General Soon Ran Kim added, “We have been supporting Korean language education by funding Korean language classes at Lowell High School, one of San Francisco’s most prestigious public schools. Additionally, with recent renovations completed at the Korea Center, we plan to host cultural lectures and recreational programs for the local Korean community.”
President Ko also joined President Kim and Secretary General Kim in visiting San Francisco City Hall, the site of the upcoming 80th anniversary celebration of Korean Liberation Day on August 16. During the tour of the Rotunda, where the ceremony will take place, they met with San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood for a brief conversation.
Commenting on the upcoming celebration, President Kim said, “This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, and we plan to organize a joint celebration with local Korean organizations, making it a grand community festival. We will invite not only Korean seniors and students but also members of the broader community, featuring high-quality performances to showcase Korea’s development and cultural excellence, reinforcing our identity as a valuable part of the local community.”
After visiting the Korea Center and the Rotunda, President Ko remarked, “I was deeply impressed by the work being done by President Kim and the SFBAKC to promote the excellence of the Korean people both within and beyond the Korean community.” He added, “We must continue to unite Koreans around the world to grow together in harmony.”
President Ko, who is also a co-chair of the upcoming World Korean Leaders Convention in October, is visiting Korean communities across the Americas to discuss building a stronger global Korean network. After completing his visit to San Francisco, he headed to Beijing, his next destination.
