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Korean Festival founder honored

September 19, 2014
gene kim

Doctor Gene Kim, standing in the gray suit to the left of the street sign, poses with community leaders and local politicians during the ceremony on Thursday. (The Korea Times / Park Sang-hyuk)

The intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue was deemed “Doctor Gene Kim Square” by the Los Angeles City Council to celebrate the founder of the annual Korean Festival held in Los Angeles’ Koreatown.

The ceremony took place on Sept. 18 with over 100 guests.

“Thousands of people will remember him as they drive by this intersection everyday,” said Herb Wesson, a member of the LA City Council.

The event’s purpose was to act as a symbol of Los Angeles’ diversity and openness to all types of cultures.

Furthermore, it was an appropriate time to highlight the development of the Korean community in Los Angeles as the 41st annual Korean Festival began on the same day.