Korean-American Lawmaker Who Led New York State to Establish 'Kimchi Day': "I Used to Be Embarrassed by Kimchi as a Child... Now It's a Global Health Food"

Ron Kim, Korean-American, Member of the New York State Assembly

[Albany (USA) = Asia Economy Correspondent Seulgina Cho] “As the son of immigrants, I once felt ashamed of kimchi when I was young. It was because I was teased by friends due to its smell. But now, everyone (even in the US) knows how healthy kimchi is. This is truly a momentous moment.”

Ron Kim, a Korean-American congressman who grew up in Flushing, one of the major immigrant settlements in New York and a five-term New York State Assembly member, held a press conference on the 24th (local time) at the New York State Capitol in Albany to celebrate the passage of the resolution establishing ‘Kimchi Day,’ saying, “Today is a very wonderful day.”

Kimchi Day is a legal commemorative day (November 22) established to promote the value and excellence of kimchi. In the US, New York became the third state to pass the resolution after California and Virginia. Kim, who became the first Korean-American New York State Assembly member in 2012, led the passage of this resolution based on support from the Korean community, including Charles Yoon, president of the New York Korean Association.

Kim said, “Even before COVID-19, Asians were targets, victims, victims of hate crimes, and were sometimes assaulted. But now, we are commemorating Kimchi Day like this,” showing a reflective expression. He confessed that he once felt ashamed of kimchi due to racial discrimination and teasing when he was young, and smiled saying, “Now the Speaker of the Assembly and the Governor also know about kimchi,” and “Everyone has come to know how healthy kimchi is.” He evaluated the significance of establishing Kimchi Day as “a momentous moment” and “celebrating food, culture, and people.”

This establishment of Kimchi Day is seen as an opportunity to inform the entire US that Korea is the ‘homeland of kimchi.’ In particular, Kim predicted that the establishment of Kimchi Day would also help Korean-American third-generation and others maintain their identity.

Charles Lavine, Chair of the New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee, said, “Korea has become a country with economic and social power after having to rebuild everything after the war,” and “I sincerely congratulate the establishment of Kimchi Day.”

The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) also played a significant role in the successive establishment of Kimchi Day across the US. aT holds events to widely promote the excellence of Korean kimchi in the US in May, during Asian American Heritage Month.

Kim Chun-jin, President of aT, said, “The establishment of Kimchi Day in New York, the world’s economic capital, will further elevate the status of Korean kimchi,” and “We will take the Kimchi Day commemorative events as an opportunity to create a kimchi boom in the US and continue the increase in kimchi exports to the US this year.” Last year, kimchi exports to the US reached $28 million, a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year. Compared to 10 years ago, it has grown about tenfold.