Korean Ambassador visits Kingston as council passes motion to celebrate Kimchi Day
Kingston Council has passed a motion to declare 22 November as International Kimchi Day, during a visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr Yeocheol Yoon.
This year marks the 140th anniversary of Korean-British diplomatic relations, with many celebrations planned across the UK and the Republic of Korea. The Royal Borough of Kingston is home to the largest Korean community in Europe. His Excellency visited to attend the full council meeting (11 July) where the Kimchi Day motion was passed. It was a perfect occasion to celebrate and honour the contributions of Korean residents and businesses to the borough.
The Ambassador also attended a reception organised by the Mayor of Kingston Councillor Diane White at the Guildhall, along with representatives from the borough’s Korean communities and businesses.
Leader of Kingston Council Andreas Kirsch said:
“We are immensely proud of the rich diversity and multiculturalism of the borough and recognise the fantastic contributions of communities from all over the world.
“We have a well-established tradition of celebrating Kingston’s Korean and wider East and South East Asian heritage through events such as the annual Kingston Korea Festival - which includes the Korean Harvest Festival and the Kimjang Festival.
“Our new commitment to marking Kimchi Day each year, on 22 November, is a fitting way to enhance the celebrations of the central role Korean communities play in the cultural life of our borough.”
His Excellency Mr Yeocheol Yoon said he was deeply moved by the Kingston’s passion for Kimchi and the Korean community:
“I will endeavour to ensure that my diplomatic activities contribute to the development of the Korean community in Kingston upon Thames. In that regard, I note with gratitude that today’s agenda for Council included the motion for designating Kimchi Day. I believe that Kimchi will spice up our friendship and provide the famous ‘fermentation process’, which will further deepen our mutual understanding."