Korean Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. (aT) CEO Kim Choon-Jin on Aug. 23 attends an event in Sacramento, California, to commemorate the official designation of Kimchi Day in the Golden State. (aT) 

By Lee Jihae

The U.S. state of California has formally designated Nov. 22 "Kimchi Day."

Californian Assemblyman Steven Choi proposed Resolution HR52 on the designation, and the state legislature passed it on Aug. 23 in Sacramento.

Rep. Choi on May 21 proposed the resolution proposing Nov. 22 as Kimchi Day along with 12 Korean organizations, including the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

The resolution mentioned the origin of kimchi and explained kimjang, or the traditional culture and process of preparing kimchi inscribed in 2013 on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It also said kimchi contains probiotics, calcium and vitamins and boosts bodily immunity.

Rep. Choi said California's designation of Kimchi Day means a lot in uniting the Korean community in the state, which is home to 32% of the ethnic Korean population in the U.S., adding that the resolution's purpose was to mark the day together with the Korean government.

The official residence of the Korean consulate general in Los Angeles on Nov. 22 will host a kimjang event to celebrate the state's first annual Kimchi Day.

jihlee08@korea.kr