Special Capitol Hill Reception to Commemorate National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day and Celebrate 70 Years of US-Korea Alliance

 

Washington, D.C. – A special reception on Capitol Hill is taking place to commemorate the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27th, at the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer from 6:25 to 8:00 pm (ET), with a candle lighting ceremony at 7:27 pm.

This year’s commemoration carries particular significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire and U.S.-Korea relations. The reception aims to honor the brave veterans who served valiantly during and after the bloody conflict that lasted three years, from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. Attendees will come together to remember the sacrifices made during the Korean War and reflect on the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The evening’s program will feature notable performances by Korean American youth of The Korean School of NJ Children’s Choir who participated in the historic Republic of Korea State Arrival Ceremony at the White House in April. They will be joined by a group of South Korean students from Pumassi Foundation who won a heartfelt letter writing competition expressing gratitude to Korean War veterans worldwide. They will present thanks to those who served and safeguarded freedom for South Korea and future generations of Koreans.

The reception is made possible through the bipartisan support of four distinguished Korean American Members of Congress, including Representatives Young Kim (R-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Michelle Steel (R-CA), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), who serve as honorary co-hosts for this momentous occasion and are dedicated to fostering strong US-Korea relations.

The event is a collaborative effort of leading Korean American organizations, namely the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC), the Council of Korean Americans (CKA), the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), and Remember727, with support from Judith Ehm Foundation and other foundations.

None of us would be here without the sacrifices of the veterans,” said the organizers. “Together, we unite to pay tribute to our heroes and to promote lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. We look forward to celebrating and building upon the 70 years of U.S-Korea friendship.”

 

Event Details:

• Date: July 27, 2023
• Time: 6:25 pm – 8:00 pm (Candle lighting at 7:27 pm)
• Location: Rayburn Foyer, Capitol Hill

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

• Won S. Song, Executive Director (KAGC) | wsong@kagc.us | (202) 450-4252
• Council of Korean Americans: media@councilka.org

 

• About the Council of Korean Americans (CKA): Founded in 2011, CKA is a national membership community connecting and aligning Korean American executives and trailblazers in multiple sectors, with the mission to advance the voice and influence of the Korean American community.
• About the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC): Founded in 2016, KAGC is the largest nationwide network of Korean American voters. Its national conference draws over 600 community members from over 110 districts across 31 states every summer. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, KAGC is dedicated to uplifting the Korean American community through active civic engagement and, in turn, contributing to the U.S.-Korea alliance. 
• About the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI):  Founded in 1982, the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) is a not-for-profit educational organization to promote dialogue and understanding between the United States and Korea. As a leading policy outreach and educational organization, KEI focuses on promoting economic, political and security relations between the U.S. and South Korea.
• About Remember727: Founded in 2008, Remember727 has sparked the global movement to remember the Korean War Armistice Day, honor veterans and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. It spearheaded the grassroots effort to pass legislation that created the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in the United States (in 2009) and has been organizing an Armistice Day commemoration since July 27, 2008.
• About the Judith Ehm Foundation: Created in 2021 by David C. Chung, a cosmetic entrepreneur and philanthropist, the Judith Ehm Foundation supports public charities and was named after David’s mother, a decades-long supporter of the Korean-American community in New York City since the 1970’s.

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The Council of Korean Americans is a national nonprofit organization. Our mission is to advance the national voice, interest, and influence of the Korean American community through education, collaboration, and leadership development.