Shoreline IEUM Korean School Hosts Festive Chuseok & Gaecheonjeol Cultural Celebration

On Friday, October 2, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, IEUM Korean School (Principal Jeonghee Shin) hosted its "Gaecheonjeol Cultural Lesson and Chuseok Celebration," bringing together students, teachers, student aides, and the Parent Association for a joyous and successful evening.

The event featured a rich variety of educational and cultural programs designed to celebrate two major traditional milestones: Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day).

Honoring Gaecheonjeol: Celebrating over 4,300 Years of Korean History

As part of the cultural curriculum, students learned about the profound historical significance of Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day), celebrated annually on October 3rd. Literally translating to "The Day the Sky Opened,"Gaecheonjeol commemorates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, by Dangun Wanggeom in 2333 BCE.

Through interactive lessons, the school highlighted Korea's extraordinary history spanning over 4,300 years (often referred to as Korea's 5,000-year heritage). Students explored how this deep-rooted history, built upon the founding philosophy of Hongik Ingan ("to broadly benefit all mankind"), shapes the enduring cultural identity and rich tradition of unity that Koreans celebrate today.

Festive Tradition and Community Fellowship

Along with learning about Korea's historic origins, attendees experienced the warm fellowship of Chuseok by sharing traditional delicacies such as songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes) and bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastries). The evening continued with energetic Chuseok trivia and traditional Korean folk games, offering students hands-on learning blended with festive holiday joy.

Community Leadership and Key Appointments

Distinguished leaders from the Korean-American school community graced the occasion to offer their congratulations on the school's opening: Seungju Cho (Board Chair of the NAKS Northwest Regional Council), Mikyoung Kwon (Vice Board Chair of NAKS Headquarters), and Jihyun Kim (Vice President of the NAKS Northwest Regional Council). (Pictured from left: Vice President Jihyun Kim, Board Chair Seungju Cho, Principal Jeonghee Shin, and Vice Board Chair Mikyoung Kwon).

During the event, Principal Jeonghee Shin made a surprise announcement regarding key leadership. Principal Shin formally announced that Mikyoung Kwon—immediate past President of the NAKS Northwest Regional Council and current Vice Board Chair of the National Association for Korean Schools (NAKS)—has officially joined IEUM Korean School as its new Vice Principal and Board Member.

"It is an immense honor to welcome Vice Chair Mikyoung Kwon, who has dedicated years of extraordinary leadership to Korean language education across the Pacific Northwest, as our new Vice Principal and Board Member," said Principal Jeonghee Shin.

"Her profound expertise and leadership will serve as an invaluable cornerstone for the growth and excellence of IEUM Korean School."

The evening served as a memorable milestone for the entire school community, connecting young Korean-Americans to their deep historical roots while launching a bright future for IEUM Korean School.

Contact & School Information

• Website: 이음 한국학교(IEUM)
• Address: 19350 Firlands Way N, Shoreline, WA 98133
• Phone: (425) 534-8444
• Email: ieumkoreanschool@naks.org