Jeonbuk K-Style Exhibition Reception

July 27, 2019

Governor Song Ha-Jin,

Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver,

President Park Eun Rim and

Honored Members of the Korean-American Community,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Good Morning!

It is a great pleasure and honor to see you all on the occasion of the grand opening of the “2019 Jeonbuk K-Style Exhibition” today in New Jersey. Indeed, Governor Song’s visit and the opening of this Exhibition in New Jersey are truly meaningful and timely. 

As you are aware, the Garden State is a great place to live and to do business, as it always strives to be more welcoming and accommodating.

Across the Pacific, Jeonbuk Province is also among the top provinces in Korea which is noted for its thousand-year-long history, rich cultural heritages, dynamic and vibrant economy, and of course, warm-hearted people like New Jersians. 

Considering all this, it was only natural that Jeonbuk Province and the Garden State established their sisterhood relations 19 years ago.

I truly hope that Governor Song’s visit will surely revitalize and further strengthen such a wonderful, mutually beneficial bond between them. 

Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen,

It is well known that New Jersey is a state rich with ethnic and cultural diversity. 

Notably, this beautiful state is home to more than 200,000 hardworking and caring Korean-Americans.  Indeed, Korean-American New Jersians are making meaningful contributions to enriching the cultural diversity of this great state. 

As such, they are serving as a natural and beautiful bridge between New Jersey and Korea as well as between the United States and Korea.

It is against such a backdrop that the opening of the “2019 Jeonbuk K-style Exhibition” is significant as it aims to further deepen mutual understanding and cultural ties between our two countries.  

I am pleased to note that this Exhibition has the charm to enchant visitors, especially, young children, through showcasing the five key elements of the K-style, which include Korean food, Korean traditional houses, Korean traditional dress, Korean traditional paper, and Korean traditional music. 

This Exhibition allows visitors to see and appreciate a variety of Korean traditional values, culture, and way of life, which will make meaningful contributions to deepening our mutual understandings and connecting New Jersey and Jeonbuk as well as bringing our two great countries closer together. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

This is why I would like to appreciate Governor Song Ha-Jin and his entire delegation for having flown halfway around the world to host this wonderful event in this great state of New Jersey. (Let us give them a special round of applause!)

Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, thank you so much for your administration’s wonderful support and cooperation for this event and the Korean-American community. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the organizers and volunteers for their hard work to make this event a success.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the wonderful day!