GKF and Kongju National University Sign Cooperation Agreement

We are so excited to announce that the Gateway Korea Foundation and 공주대학교 Kongju National University signed an agreement on May 12 at the Saint Louis Art Museum to seek future collaborations in programs, faculty, student exchanges as well as publications and research.

Kongju National University is located in Kongju, the Ancient Capital of the Baeche Kingdom which lasted from 1BC to 7AD and known for its rich historical and cultural sites. GKF and KNU expects to have future partnership and collaboration in faculty and student exchange as well as program events. KNU president, Sungsoo Won and Dr. Eunjung Lim, the director of Overseas Korean Education Center visited St. Louis and signed MOU with GKF on May 12 (please see photos). As the 1st collaboration efforts, Dr. Seungkwon You, chair of GKF board of directors joined DanO Festival at the Overseas Korean Education Center at KNU with faculty and students who are overseas Koreans including Korean Japanese, Korean Iranian, and Koreans from Central Asia.

Korean American day

On January 13th, 1903, the first group of Korean immigrants arrived here in the United States. Aboard S.S. Gaelic were 56 men, 21 women, and 25 children with nothing but hope and dream for a new, prosperous life in the land of the free and the home of the brave. 118 years later today, the Korean American community has grown to nearly two million across the 50 states.

As we celebrate Korean American Day today, we at KAGC would like to share with you special messages from the White House, Chair Judy Chu of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Representative Jimmy Gomez.

Congressman Cedric Richmond, the White House
Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement

"On behalf of the White House and the Biden-Harris administration, I wish you all a happy Korean American Day...Korean Americans serve as a critical bridge between the two countries, bolstering the people-to-people and country-to-country ties between the United States and South Korea...I would like to thank the Korean American Grassroots Conference and celebrate your continued efforts to engage the Korean American community in civic affairs, all the way from the grassroots to the Capitol here in Washington, D.C."

Representative Judy Chu (D, CA-27)
Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)

"As the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I'm so happy to be joining with the Korean American Grassroots Conference to celebrate Korean American Day. It's now been 119 years since the first Korean immigrants to the U.S., and thanks to groups like yours and your leadership in promoting Korean civic engagement, the Korean American community has seen incredible growth since then...But none of this [the passage of the Divided Families Reunification Act and other achievements] would be possible without advocates like each of you, so thank you for your leadership."

Greeting Letter from President Joe Biden

"Korean Americans have always embodied the values of the American spirit, and they are a living reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the generations of immigrants who come to the United States with dreams as boundless as their potential...Korean Americans also strengthen the Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States, a partnership that remains critical to advancing peace and prosperity around the world."

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D, CA-34) introduces a House resolution in celebration of 2022 Korean American Day

"Most recently, we have seen countless examples of Korean American businesses and community groups stepping up to do their part to keep our neighbors safe and healthy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to represent Koreatown in Los Angeles—home to the largest Korean American community in the United States—and it is a great pleasure to lead this resolution to recognize the contributions of Korean Americans across the country," remarked Rep. Gomez.

“The Korean American Grassroots Conference thanks the leadership of Rep. Jimmy Gomez in celebrating the Korean American Day with a House Resolution for five years in a row,” said Wonseok Song, executive director of the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC), the largest network of Korean American voters.

Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-39) co-leads the House resolution to honor Korean American Day

"As one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress and an immigrant from South Korea who represents a district that includes a vibrant Korean American community, I am proud to honor my heritage, recognize the 1.8 million Korean Americans in the U.S. today and promote the important role that Korean Americans play in defining America as a land of opportunity by introducing this resolution to honor Korean American Day."

Gateway Korea Foundation Statement on the Mass Shootings in Atlanta

The Gateway Korea Foundation extends its deepest sympathies to the eight victims murdered in the horrific mass shootings on March 16th in Atlanta, Georgia. Our thoughts are with the City of Atlanta, and our hearts go out to the families of Park Soon Chung, Hyun Jung Grant, Kim Sun Cha, Yue Yong Ae, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng.

Although the details of this shooting are still under investigation, this unspeakable tragedy notably occurred during a larger wave of hate crimes against the AAPI community over the last year. GKF stands firmly with these victims and with all victims of hate, violence, and discrimination. As an organization, our mission is to spread cross-cultural appreciation and understanding across the Midwest in connection with Korean arts and cultural experiences. We do this in the hopes that by connecting people through our events and educational opportunities, our members and guests come to have a greater understanding of each other, our unique backgrounds, and the strength developed through diverse communities coming together as one.