Jointly hosted by San Jose and Santa Clara officials
Taegukgi raised alongside the U.S. flag in celebration
A milestone recognizing Korean Americans’ presence
A Korean national flag was raised over San Jose City Hall on October 16 to commemorate Hangul Day, celebrating the creation of the Korean alphabet. The ceremony, co-hosted by San Jose City Councilmember Bien Doan and Santa Clara City Councilmember Kevin Park, marked the first-ever Taegukgi-raising event in San Jose’s history to honor Hangul. The occasion represented a meaningful collaboration between local government and the Korean-American community.
The event brought together numerous community leaders and dignitaries, including Jonathan H Kim, president of the San Francisco & Bay Area Korea Center; Eunice Chun, director of the KACS(Korean American Community Services); Drew Baek, president of the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF); Eunhee Koo, chair of the Korean Language Education Foundation; Rosa Kim, board member of the Fremont Unified School District; Jinhee Lee, former president of KOWIN-SF; and Sang-Deok Na, deputy consul general of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco.
Also in attendance were U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, California State Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab, and San Jose City Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei, Pamela Campos, Anthony Tordillos, and David Cohen, who either joined the event in person or sent representatives to offer their congratulations.
In his remarks, Kevin Park explained why the ceremony was held in San Jose rather than Santa Clara. “The largest Korean community in the Bay Area is in San Jose. It’s only natural that we celebrate Hangul and Korean culture here,” he said. Park emphasized that cooperation among Asian American communities is essential, expressing gratitude to Bien Doan for co-hosting the event and highlighting the growing role of Korean Americans in local civic affairs.
Councilmember Bien Doan, a former firefighter, said that more than 40% of San Jose’s population is Asian American and praised the Korean community’s significant contributions. “The raising of the Taegukgi is a symbolic first step showing San Jose’s recognition and respect for the Korean community,” he said, adding that he kept his word to make the event happen “through the firefighter’s belief that actions speak louder than words.”
Doan explained that he and Park discussed the idea after meeting at another event, eventually bringing it to life by raising the Korean flag alongside the U.S. flag at City Hall, publicly celebrating Hangul’s value and Korea’s cultural legacy.
Deputy Consul General Sang-Deok Na described Hangul as “the only writing system in the world whose creator, purpose, and design principles are clearly recorded,” emphasizing that King Sejong created it “out of love for his people” and that it remains “a scientific and humanistic script.” Na said the Taegukgi raised that day “symbolizes the identity, dignity, and friendship of the Korean people and the United States.”
Bay Area Korean community leaders also spoke about passing on Korean heritage to younger generations. Jonathan H Kim noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation and the 122nd anniversary of Korean immigration to the U.S., saying that “Korea rose from one of the poorest nations after the war to a global economic power through the strength of Hangul and education.”
Eunhee Koo, chair of the Korean Language and Culture Foundation, said that “Hangul is more than a writing system—it is a symbol of equality, creativity, and wisdom.” She described it as “revolutionary, allowing anyone to learn regardless of social class,” and added that the flag raised at City Hall represented both Korean pride and the community’s lasting presence in San Jose.
During the ceremony, the Bay Senior Tenor ensemble performed the U.S. national anthem while Soonran Kim, chair of the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, joined Eunice Chun and Drew Baek in raising the American flag. Soprano Yoon Jung Lee then sang the Korean national anthem as Han-Il Kim, Eunhee Koo, and Sang-Deok Na raised the Taegukgi.
The San Jose City Council unanimously declared October 16 as Hangul Day in San Jose, presenting the official proclamation to Deputy Consul General Na. The council stated that the flag-raising was “not just symbolic but a historic gesture declaring the city’s diversity and inclusiveness.”
Councilmember Park presented a certificate of appreciation to Bien Doan, while Representative Ro Khanna delivered a congressional certificate to Park. Additional commendations from State Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab were given to Korean community members.
Participants expressed hope that the Hangul Day ceremony would become an annual tradition, strengthening ties between the city and the Korean-American community. San Jose officials pledged to expand city programs celebrating Korean culture and language, while Korean community leaders vowed to deepen engagement and cooperation with local government.
However, the event also drew attention for the absence of Woo Dong-Ok, president of the Silicon Valley Korean American Association, who was not invited despite the event being held in San Jose, the center of Silicon Valley. In contrast, Han-Il Kim, president of the Bay Area Korean American Association, received an official invitation. When asked, Councilmember Park confirmed that Woo was not invited but did not specify the reason.
The event brought together numerous community leaders and dignitaries, including Jonathan H Kim, president of the San Francisco & Bay Area Korea Center; Eunice Chun, director of the KACS(Korean American Community Services); Drew Baek, president of the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF); Eunhee Koo, chair of the Korean Language Education Foundation; Rosa Kim, board member of the Fremont Unified School District; Jinhee Lee, former president of KOWIN-SF; and Sang-Deok Na, deputy consul general of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco.
Also in attendance were U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, California State Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab, and San Jose City Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei, Pamela Campos, Anthony Tordillos, and David Cohen, who either joined the event in person or sent representatives to offer their congratulations.
In his remarks, Kevin Park explained why the ceremony was held in San Jose rather than Santa Clara. “The largest Korean community in the Bay Area is in San Jose. It’s only natural that we celebrate Hangul and Korean culture here,” he said. Park emphasized that cooperation among Asian American communities is essential, expressing gratitude to Bien Doan for co-hosting the event and highlighting the growing role of Korean Americans in local civic affairs.
Councilmember Bien Doan, a former firefighter, said that more than 40% of San Jose’s population is Asian American and praised the Korean community’s significant contributions. “The raising of the Taegukgi is a symbolic first step showing San Jose’s recognition and respect for the Korean community,” he said, adding that he kept his word to make the event happen “through the firefighter’s belief that actions speak louder than words.”
Doan explained that he and Park discussed the idea after meeting at another event, eventually bringing it to life by raising the Korean flag alongside the U.S. flag at City Hall, publicly celebrating Hangul’s value and Korea’s cultural legacy.
Deputy Consul General Sang-Deok Na described Hangul as “the only writing system in the world whose creator, purpose, and design principles are clearly recorded,” emphasizing that King Sejong created it “out of love for his people” and that it remains “a scientific and humanistic script.” Na said the Taegukgi raised that day “symbolizes the identity, dignity, and friendship of the Korean people and the United States.”
Bay Area Korean community leaders also spoke about passing on Korean heritage to younger generations. Jonathan H Kim noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation and the 122nd anniversary of Korean immigration to the U.S., saying that “Korea rose from one of the poorest nations after the war to a global economic power through the strength of Hangul and education.”
Eunhee Koo, chair of the Korean Language and Culture Foundation, said that “Hangul is more than a writing system—it is a symbol of equality, creativity, and wisdom.” She described it as “revolutionary, allowing anyone to learn regardless of social class,” and added that the flag raised at City Hall represented both Korean pride and the community’s lasting presence in San Jose.
During the ceremony, the Bay Senior Tenor ensemble performed the U.S. national anthem while Soonran Kim, chair of the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, joined Eunice Chun and Drew Baek in raising the American flag. Soprano Yoon Jung Lee then sang the Korean national anthem as Han-Il Kim, Eunhee Koo, and Sang-Deok Na raised the Taegukgi.
The San Jose City Council unanimously declared October 16 as Hangul Day in San Jose, presenting the official proclamation to Deputy Consul General Na. The council stated that the flag-raising was “not just symbolic but a historic gesture declaring the city’s diversity and inclusiveness.”
Councilmember Park presented a certificate of appreciation to Bien Doan, while Representative Ro Khanna delivered a congressional certificate to Park. Additional commendations from State Senators Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab were given to Korean community members.
Participants expressed hope that the Hangul Day ceremony would become an annual tradition, strengthening ties between the city and the Korean-American community. San Jose officials pledged to expand city programs celebrating Korean culture and language, while Korean community leaders vowed to deepen engagement and cooperation with local government.
However, the event also drew attention for the absence of Woo Dong-Ok, president of the Silicon Valley Korean American Association, who was not invited despite the event being held in San Jose, the center of Silicon Valley. In contrast, Han-Il Kim, president of the Bay Area Korean American Association, received an official invitation. When asked, Councilmember Park confirmed that Woo was not invited but did not specify the reason.
