Kingston Borough, London, UK... Every Year on November 22
Recently, New Jersey, USA Also Passed a Kimchi Day Resolution
Amid the recent establishment of 'Kimchi Day' in several regions across the United States, a borough in southwest London, UK, has designated 'Kimchi Day' as a legal commemorative day for the first time in Europe.
Kingston Borough in London, UK, Designates Europe's First 'Kimchi Day'
Kingston Borough in London posted on its official website an article titled "The borough declares World Kimchi Day, highlighting Kingston's Korean heritage," stating, "Starting this year, Kingston Borough will commemorate November 22 annually as Kimchi Day." The area includes New Malden, the largest Korean residential community in Europe.
Kingston Borough said, "The number of states in the US commemorating Kimchi Day is increasing," adding, "Following Korea and the US, Europe will celebrate Kimchi Day annually for the first time."
In particular, Robert Kim, a councilor of the New Malden area, said, "As a councilor representing New Malden, the largest Korean community in Europe, I am pleased to proclaim Kimchi Day in Kingston Borough," and added, "I hope to make New Malden another Gangnam of Europe where Hallyu fans can experience and enjoy Korean Wave culture, and by uniting the talents of the Korean community, promote prosperity and cultural exchange between the two countries."
Kingston Borough also emphasized that kimchi is a Korean dish. Kingston Borough explained, "Kimchi is Korea's national dish made by salting and fermenting vegetables," and "In 2013, UNESCO recognized the process of making kimchi, called Kimjang, as an intangible cultural heritage."
Andreas Kirsch, the leader of Kingston Borough, said, "This is in line with celebrating the Korean community's central role in our local cultural life," and added, "It also commemorates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the UK this year."
Recently, New Jersey State in the US Adopts 'Kimchi Day' Resolution
Earlier, the New Jersey State House in the eastern US also overwhelmingly passed a resolution to commemorate November 22 annually as Kimchi Day. On the 26th, the New Jersey House passed the Kimchi Day resolution with 74 votes in favor and 2 against during the plenary session.
Introduced by Korean-American Assemblywoman Ellen Park, the resolution commemorates the history of kimchi, which was introduced to the US through the Korean immigrant community and has since become widely loved by other ethnic groups. The resolution will gain legal effect once it passes the New Jersey Senate vote and receives Governor Phil Murphy's signature.
Meanwhile, November 22, 'Kimchi Day,' is a legal commemorative day established in Korea in 2020 to promote the value and excellence of kimchi. If Kimchi Day becomes a legal commemorative day in New Jersey, it will be the eighth local government in the US to officially commemorate Kimchi Day, following California, Virginia, New York, and others.
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