Bergen County Celebrates Korean American Day

(Hackensack)- Bergen County officials and local community leaders came together at One Bergen County Plaza for the annual Bergen County Korean American Day celebration on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

Established by Congress, Korean American Day celebrates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. 115 years ago, as well as the contributions of Korean-Americans to our communities in the years that followed. Bergen County, one of the most diverse counties in the state, is home to approximately 60,000 people of Korean descent.

This year, Bergen County recognized local Korean-American community leaders and organizations for their achievements and dedication to Bergen County.

County Executive Tedesco, Freeholder Chair Tom Sullivan, Freeholder Vice Chair Germaine Ortiz, Freeholders David Ganz and Joan Voss, and the 2018 Korean American Day honorees

The award recipients included:

Outstanding Korean American Community Service Contributions Awards: Korean American Association of NJ (KAANJ), Korean American Senior Citizens Association of NJ (KASCANJ), Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE)

County Executive Tedesco presents a certificate of commendation to Elynn Park, President of the Korean American Association of New Jersey

County Executive Tedesco presents Korean American Day Proclamation to Young Kwon, President of the Korean American Senior Citizens Association of New Jersey

Outstanding Korean American Law Enforcement Contributions Award: James Han (Detective, Hackensack Police Department)

County Executive Tedesco presents a certificate of commendation to Hackensack Police Detective James Han

Outstanding Korean-American Cultural Contributions Award: Taehee Jung (Jung Traditional Korean Dance Academy)

Performers from the Jung Korean Dance Academy of Ridgefield

Outstanding Korean-American Educator Contribution Awards: Seungchan Kim (Director, New York Music School, Tenafly), Kay Rhee (Executive Director, Camerata New Jersey Foundation)

Seungchan Kim, director of New York Music School in Tenafly, accepts certificate of commendation from County Executive Jim Tedesco

Kay Rhee, executive director of the Camerata New Jersey Foundation of Northvale accepts certificate of commendation from County Executive Tedesco

Outstanding Korean American Youth Community Service Award: Brian Jon

County Executive Tedesco presents Brian Jon of Tenafly with a certificate of commendation for his outstanding community service contribution

Kids K-Pop Group by Korean Community Center

County Executive Tedesco with the New Jersey Children’s Choir of Tenafly

New York Deputy Consul General to Korea Youn-jung Kim offers remarks

Renowned artist Sung Ho Choi offers keynote remarks

Reverend Yieri So offers the closing benediction