‘Kimchi Day’ as an Official U.S. Commemorative Day... Proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives

70th Anniversary of Alliance and 120th Anniversary of Korean Immigration to the Americas
"A Great Encouragement to the Korean Immigrant Community"

A resolution to designate 'Kimchi Day' as an official commemorative day has been submitted in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Museum of Korean American Immigration History (MOKAH, Director Kim Min-seon) announced on the 6th (local time) that "Republican Representative Young Kim has submitted a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives to proclaim November 22 as Kimchi Day in the United States."

Kimchi Day, proclaimed by the Korea Kimchi Association, is on November 22, and it has been designated as a legal commemorative day in Korea since 2020.

The resolution to designate Kimchi Day as an official commemorative day at the federal level in the U.S. was first introduced last year but was discarded due to the expiration of the congressional session.

The newly reintroduced resolution was led by Young Kim of the majority Republican Party. Korean American Representatives Andy Kim (Democrat, New Jersey), Michelle Park Steel (Republican, California), and Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, Washington) also joined as co-sponsors.

Notably, the resolution specifies that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance and the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the U.S. Additionally, it was introduced shortly after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit and joint address to both houses of Congress were confirmed, raising expectations that it will be given significant attention in the House.

In the resolution, Representative Kim stated, "Kimchi-related foods and menus are increasing in the U.S.," adding, "The growing popularity among Americans who are not of Korean descent can be seen as a positive example of cultural exchange."

She further added, "Just as Korea, the origin country of kimchi, designates November 22 as Kimchi Day every year, the U.S. House of Representatives should also designate November 22 as Kimchi Day."

Kim Min-seon, director of the Immigration History Museum who worked with Representative Kim to reintroduce the resolution, said, "Considering the sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans over the past few years, if Kimchi Day is designated as a commemorative day at the federal level in the U.S., it will be a great encouragement to immigrant communities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.