PHOTO RELEASE:
August 16, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
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BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES KOREAN INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
Above: Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea Euy Whan Kim, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Undersheriff Jin Sung Kim, and Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III standing with 2023 Korean Independence Day Outstanding Community Service Contribution Honorees.
HACKENSACK, NJ – On Tuesday, the County of Bergen, in partnership with the Asian Women Christian Association, the Korean Community Center, the Korean American Association of New Jersey, the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, the Korean American Law Enforcement Council, the Asian Women’s Christian Association, and the Korean American Senior Citizen’s Association, hosted a celebration in honor of Korean Independence in the Piazza at the One Bergen County Plaza Administration Building.
Korean Independence Day, also known as “National Liberation Day” or “Restoration of Light Day” in South Korea, is celebrated annually on August 15th and commemorates the end of Japan’s decades-long occupation over Korea.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III issued a proclamation recognizing August 15, 2023, as Korean Independence Day which was presented along with the Key to Bergen County to Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, the Honorable Euy Whan Kim. Consulate General Kim also served as the event’s keynote speaker.
The event’s program included welcome remarks by Chang Lee, President of the Korean American Association of New Jersey, a traditional Fan Dance by the Woorigarak Korean Cultural Arts Center, and a dance performance by local K-Pop Group Royal X. County Executive and the Bergen County Commissioners also presented Outstanding Service Contribution Awards to members of the community.
The event culminated in the raising of the Korean flag. Refreshments were donated by various organizations, including the Asian Women Christian Association, the Korean American Association of New Jersey, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, the Korean American Law Enforcement Council, and the Korean American Senior Citizen’s Association.
2023 Korean Independence Outstanding Community Service Contribution Honorees:
- Give Chances
- Eunjoo Kang
- Anne Y. Kim
- Dr. Jaehyun Lee-Hong
- Edward So
- Grace Song
Photos attachments:
Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York Euy Whan Kim, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, and Bergen County Undersheriff Jin Sung Kim stand with a Proclamation of Korean Independence Day.
Jung and Samuel Oh of the Asian Women Christian Association perform the National Anthem, as the Bergen County Honor Guard Presents the Colors.
Vietnam War Veterans listening to a speech at the 2023 Bergen County Korean Independence Day Celebration at One Bergen County Plaza.
A traditional Fan Dance is performed by the Woorigarak Korean Cultural Arts Center.
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