By UN Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee held a dinner meeting with about 120 local compatriots in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 8. (local time)

When the President and Mrs. Yoon arrived at the entrance of the venue, they were greeted with a banner that read "Welcome to Hawaii by the President and Mrs. Yoon," along with many compatriots and Americans in military uniforms who came out to support President Yoon, who has firmly restored the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and some Americans who came out to support President Yoon, who sang "American Pie" last year, waving flags and American flags and saying "Aloha, welcome. Prior to the start of the event, the President and Mrs. Yoon posed for photos with attendees of the compatriot dinner.

In his remarks, the President acknowledged the significance of Hawaii in our nation's immigration history, saying, "Hawaii is a very important place in our nation's immigration history, and it's where our first President Syngman Rhee laid the foundation for our nation's founding by cultivating talented people and fighting for independence."

"Even today, Hawaiians are raising the profile and interests of Korea in many sectors of American society," the President said, thanking them for their dedication and hard work, noting that "even in times of community need, such as the coronavirus pandemic and the Hawaiian wildfires, they have stepped up to the plate and contributed greatly to strengthening the bonds and friendship between our two countries."

Afterward, the participants shared their various experiences and empathized with each other.

Mr. Seo Dae-young, President of the Korean American Association of Hawaii, who delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the Korean community, said that the President and his wife's visit to Hawaii has increased the pride of the Hawaiian community, noting that our government's quick response to the Maui Island fire in August last year and the highest level of honor in the repatriation of the remains of seven Korean War dead from the Korean War in July last year have impressed the American community. 

Seo also noted that the Hawaiian diaspora, which began with 102 immigrants in 1903, has evolved over the course of more than 120 years and generations, building a model community and maintaining good relations with other ethnic groups in Hawaii.

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke expressed her gratitude and pride that the Korean community in Hawaii has made significant contributions to the development of Hawaii over the past 120 years, and that Korea was one of the first countries in the world to offer assistance when the wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui devastated the state last August.

David Cho, Legislative Assistant to the Hawaii State Senate, shared his experience as a second-generation immigrant who learned about Korean history and culture while interacting with relatives in Korea, and pledged to continue to be a proud member of the Korean American community. 

Cho also shared that his parents' generation sacrificed everything to settle in the U.S. and give their descendants the opportunity to thrive, and urged the next generation of Korean Americans to remember to be grateful and work harder.

"I am grateful that you have grown up to be proud Korean Americans, contributing to the country and serving as a bridge between your homeland and the United States," the President said, adding, "Since taking office, I have created the Overseas Koreans Agency to strengthen networks among Korean Americans in various countries to create more opportunities on a wider playing field. We will do our best to create more opportunities for our compatriots in a wider arena, even if it is still not enough."

In closing, the President said, "I will never forget that Hawaiian compatriots contributed materially and spiritually to the founding of the Republic of Korea by the first President Syngman Rhee, which laid the foundation for today's liberal democracy and market economy."

The meeting concluded with a performance of "Arirang" by Korean musicians from the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, BTS's "Permission to Dance," and Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite in G Major, and the President and Mrs. Yoon warmly encouraged the musicians to take a photo with them after the performance. 

After the event, the President and Mrs. Yoon continued to shake hands and take selfies with compatriots who attended the event, as well as those who lined up outside the venue for more than 100 meters.

When the President and his wife arrived at their hotel, they were warmly welcomed by more than 100 compatriots from the Korean American Association.