Mayor Mark Zinna of Tenafly, a borough in New Jersey and a suburb of New York, on April 6 wears Hanbok while giving a speech at the proclamation ceremony of Korean Hanbok Day at Tenafly's city hall.

By Lee Jihae

Photos = Yonhap News

Tenafly, a borough of New Jersey and a suburb of New York, has designated "Korean Hanbok Day."

The Asian American Youth Council, led by ethnic Asian teens based on the U.S. East Coast, on April 4 said the borough proclaimed Oct. 21 as a day to honor the traditional Korean attire.

This is the first such day designated outside of Korea.

To emphasize that Hanbok is traditional Korean attire, the word "Korean" was added to the day's official name and the term "Hanbok" was spelled out according to its original Hangeul pronunciation.

The date of Oct. 21 is the same as that of Hanbok Day in Korea.

Yonhap News of Korea said the efforts of ethnic Korean high school students were behind the designation.

Angered by China's false claims that kimchi and Hanbok are part of Chinese culture, the youths held an online discussion with other council members and agreed to provide a basis showing that Hanbok is part of Korean culture.

The students sent a written petition to U.S. political circles and regional politicians requesting the designation of Korean Hanbok Day. This petition was accepted by Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna.

The proclamation ceremony for the day was held on April 6 in Tenafly.

Tenafly, a borough in New Jersey and a suburb of New York, on April 6 held a proclamation ceremony for Korean Hanbok Day. Students there wear Hanbok.

jihlee08@korea.kr