Summary

Recognition highlights bond between Korea and King County

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Councilmember von Reichbauer is joined by Moon Duk-ho, Consul General for the Republic of Korea (holding recognition), Councilmembers, and representatives from the Korean Community throughout King County after the Council recognized August 15th as Liberation Day of Korea

The Metropolitan King County Council, joined by Moon Duk-ho, Consul General for the Republic of Korea, today recognized August 15th as Liberation Day of Korea, celebrating the end of the Japanese occupation of the country with the surrender of Japan in World War II.

“We celebrate this freedom from oppression -- Korean independence and the immense value of the relationship between the Republic of Korea and King County,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, the sponsor of the recognition. “The legacy of the Korean soldiers and people as well as our Korean war veterans has fostered a special relationship between our countries that continues to unite us.”

In recognizing the end of the occupation of the Korean Peninsula, Liberation Day of Korea also celebrates the establishment of the first Republic of Korea in 1948.

There are over 135,000 residents of Korean descent living in Washington, and King County—along with the cities of Federal Way and Seattle—have multiple economic and cultural ties with Korea, including sister city and sister county relationships.

WHEREAS, the State of Washington and the Republic of Korea have developed a “special relationship” through sister county agreements between King County and Hwasong County, and sister city agreements between Seattle and Daejon, the Port of Seattle and Busan, and Federal Way and Donghae, stimulating cultural exchange and economic advancement; and

WHEREAS, Korean-Americans in our community, region, and throughout the United States, enhance our quality of life through their culture, businesses, and service organizations, including KO-AM TV, the only Korean American television station in Washington; the Korean American Grocer Association of Washington; and the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Washington State; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the Republic of Korea have immense pride in their native land, a pride that is shared by over 136,000 Americans of Korean descent living in Washington State; and

WHEREAS, August 15th is Liberation Day of Korea, a Republic of Korea national holiday, celebrating the end of 35 years of Japanese occupation in the Korean Peninsula and the culmination of World War II; and

WHEREAS, this holiday also marks the establishment of the first Republic of Korea in 1948, a nation that has become an economic, social, and cultural leader, regionally and internationally;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, recognize the importance of