‘오세훈 서울시장, 유정복 인천광역시장, 최석호 상원의원’ 김한일 회장 취임식 축하 메세지 전달.

Mayor Oh Se-Hoon on the Seoul-San Francisco Sister City Relationship

Warm greetings from Seoul Metropolitan Government! I am Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul. it is my great pleasure to wish my fellow Koreans abroad a Happy New Year through this video message. Happy New Year, everyone! Taking this opportunity, I would also like to congratulate the launch of the 33rd Korean Association of San Francisco & Bay Area, and the inauguration of President Kim Han-il.

I Sincerely hope to see this Association continue to play an important role going forward. It was 49 years ago when Seoul and San Francisco first became sister cities, and since then, our cities have maintained a close cooperative relationship across various fields, and have formed an enduring friendship.

I am aware that the Honorable Daniel Lurie, Mayor of San Francisco, has Graced this occasion with his presence. Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Mayor. I greatly look forward to our cities working more closely together in the years to come. At the heart of the friendship between our cities is the Korean Association of San Francisco & Bay Area.

This Association serves as a bridge between our cities, and has made significant contributions to the development of the Korean American community and promotion of mutual exchange. I sincerely hope to see this Association continue to play an important role going forward. The San Francisco Bay Area is a global hub for technology and innovation, and is home to major tech giants such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Netflix, and intel, along with many other leading global companies.

The hard work and achievements of Korean Americans in this region are a great source of pride for our country and a beacon of hope for future generations, Building on this foundation of cooperation, I hope that this Association can pursue various initiatives to further strengthen the ties between the Korean American community and the broader mainstream society, and support the next generation of Koran American in realizing their dreams.

I promise that the Seoul Metropolitan Government will also continue to do its part to ensure that you feel proud of your heritage and homeland. I hope that everyone has a wonderful time sharing warmth and joy at today’s Seollal Celebration. Once again, congratulations on the successful launch of the 33rd Korean Association of San Francisco & Bay Area. Thank you.

Mayor Yoo’s Message to the Korean American Community in San Francisco

Hello, I am Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. In sincerely congratulate Dr. Kim Han-il on his reelection as President of the Korean American Community Center of San Francisco & Bay Area. Dr. Kim has successfully guided the center with outstanding leadership and dedication. Incheon is the birthplace of Korean immigration history.

Over 120 years ago, the first wave of Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii before making their way through San Francisco and eventually settled on the U.S. mainland. San Francisco can be considered the starting point for Korean history in the United States.

Just as we shar this special connection, I would like to once again express my deep respect and gratitude to the Korean American Center of San Francisco & Bay Area for its unwavering affection and support for Incheon. Incheon has designated this year and next year as the “Overseas Korean Visit Incheon Years.” With the Overseas Koreans Agency at the center, Incheon will foster a close relationship with the Korean American Center of San Francisco & Bay Area and contribute to the growth of the Korean community.

In addition, I sincerely congratulate Mayor Daniel Lurie on his inauguration, as he has shown remarkable leadership and many good deeds. I wish for the continued growth and prosperity of San Francisco and look forward to active communication and exchanges between San Francisco and Incheon.

If given the opportunity, I would love to visit the recently reopened San Francisco & Bay Area Korea Center.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on President Kim Han-il’s reelection and Mayor Daniel Lurie’s inauguration. I wish everyone gathered here today good health and happiness. Thank you

Steven Choi, Member of the California Senate