The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York hosted this year’s Korean National Foundation Day reception on October 20 at the Korean Mission to the United Nations building.

The celebration was joined by 170 guests and various elected and community leaders of the region, including State Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Ron Kim, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, KAAGNY President Charles Yoon, KAANJ President Chang Hun Lee, President Juhyang Lee of the Federation of Korean American Associations of North Eastern USA, and President Jong Won Lee of Peaceful Unification Advisory Council New York. A New Jersey legislature Joint Resolution commemorating the occasion was also presented from the offices of State Senator Gordon Johnson, Assemblywoman Ellen Park, and Assemblywoman Shama Haider.

Amb Chung said, “This year marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the United States, the 119th year of Korean-American immigration history, and the 10-year milestone for the mutually beneficial Korea-US FTA.” He continued, “as allies, we are committed to making meaningful progress toward a denuclearized and prosperous Korean Peninsula. We will also strengthen the cooperation on strategic issues of economic security and global implications, as well as military collaboration.” He also emphasized the Korean American community’s role as a vital bridge between the two and that the strength of our alliance stems from the close ties between our two peoples.