California and Others Mark 8th
Resolution with 74 Votes in Favor, 2 Against
The New Jersey General Assembly in the eastern United States has passed a resolution to commemorate November 22nd each year as Kimchi Day.
On the 26th (local time), the New Jersey General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the Kimchi Day resolution in a plenary session with 74 votes in favor and 2 against.
Submitted by Korean-American Assemblywoman Ellen Park, the resolution commemorates the history of kimchi, a healthy food introduced to the United States through the Korean immigrant community and widely loved by other ethnic groups as well.
November 22 was designated as Kimchi Day to signify that each ingredient of kimchi (November) comes together to represent 22 different benefits (22nd day). [Image source=Pixabay]
Kimchi is a traditional food that has appeared in Korean history for over 2,000 years. The kimjang culture, which embodies the wisdom of the Korean people, is also introduced as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This resolution will gain legal effect once it passes the New Jersey Senate vote and receives Governor Phil Murphy's signature.
'Kimchi Day' is a legally designated commemorative day established to promote the kimchi industry, inherit and develop kimchi culture, and inform the public about the nutritional value and importance of kimchi. In Korea, it was set as November 22nd each year following the enactment of Article 20-2 of the 'Kimchi Industry Promotion Act' on February 11, 2020. The choice of November 22nd as Kimchi Day symbolizes the idea that the individual ingredients of kimchi (11th month) come together to represent 22 benefits (22nd day).
According to the 'Partial Amendment to the Kimchi Industry Promotion Act,' November 22nd is designated as 'Kimchi Day' every year to promote the kimchi industry, inherit and develop kimchi culture, and inform the public about the nutritional value and importance of kimchi. The national and local governments may hold events, education, and publicity activities in line with the purpose of 'Kimchi Day.'
Accordingly, on the first Kimchi Day in 2020, events such as kimchi-making cultural festivals, kimchi festivals, cooking competitions, and consumption promotion activities were promoted, reestablishing the status of Korea as the homeland of kimchi.
Meanwhile, considering that the New Jersey legislature was friendly to the Korean community, having passed the 'Hanbok Day' commemorative resolution in 2021 as the first among the 50 U.S. states, it is expected that the resolution will pass the Senate without much difficulty. If Kimchi Day becomes a legally designated commemorative day in New Jersey, it will become the eighth local government in the United States to officially commemorate Kimchi Day, following California, Virginia, New York, and others.
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