County Council celebrates Liberation Day of Korea

“Moon Duk-ho, Consul General for the Republic of Korea, (Holding recognition) is joined by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, members of the County Council and representatives of the Korean Community throughout King County after the Council recognized August 15th as Liberation Day of Korea.”

The Metropolitan King County Council, joined by Moon Duk-ho, Consul General for the Republic of Korea, today recognized August 15th as Liberation Day of Korea, celebrating the end of the Japanese occupation of the country with the surrender of Japan in World War II.

“We celebrate this freedom from oppression -- Korean independence and the immense value of the relationship between the Republic of Korea and King County,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, the sponsor of the recognition. 

“The legacy of the Korean soldiers and people as well as our Korean war veterans has fostered a special relationship between our countries that continues to unite us.”

In recognizing the end of the occupation of the Korean Peninsula, Liberation Day of Korea also celebrates the establishment of the first Republic of Korea in 1948.

There are over 135,000 residents of Korean descent living in Washington, and King County has multiple economic and cultural ties with Korea.