WASHINGTON - A renewed push was made in Congress on Wednesday by a U.S. congresswoman advocating for the designation of Nov. 22 as "Kimchi Day," celebrating the traditional Korean side dish. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), a Korean American lawmaker, highlighted the dish's significance during a House session.
According to Yonhap News Agency, she has submitted a resolution on kimchi with support from over a dozen lawmakers. In her address, she emphasized the transformation of kimchi from a staple Korean side dish to a symbol of Korea's cultural influence in the U.S. This change is attributed to the growing Korean presence in the United States since the first Korean immigrants arrived over a century ago.
Rep. Kim also recognized the contributions of four Korean-American lawmakers, including Reps. Andy Kim and Michelle Steel, in introducing the Kimchi Day resolution. She expressed pride in their collaborative efforts, emphasizing their crucial role in the bipartisan initiative.
An event promoting kimchi was held later in the day on Capitol Hill. At this event, Rep. Kim reiterated the cultural and historical significance of kimchi, expressing hope for increased awareness and appreciation of Korean food, particularly kimchi.
The initiative for Kimchi Day was originally put forward by a Korean group dedicated to promoting the dish. Since 2020, Nov. 22 has been observed in Korea as a statutory anniversary. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. shows that South Korea's kimchi exports to the U.S. reached US$29 million last year and have already recorded $33 million this year.