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LA Koreans ready for 70th independence anniversary

August 13, 2015

Korean American organizations discuss the coming festival to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Korean independence in Los Angeles. (Korea Times)

Perhaps no other American city will celebrate the coming 70th anniversary of Korean independence on Aug. 15 quite like Los Angeles, home of the largest Korean population in the country.

A three-day festival organized by a handful of local Korean American organizations will unfold inside Seoul International Park this weekend beginning Friday.

Before that, Korean Consul General Kim Hyun-myung will give a special lecture about Korean independence at the Korean Education Center in town Thursday, and ceremonies to commmemorate the anniversary will be carried out at Los Angeles City Hall Friday and inside the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles Saturday.

Meanwhile, Glory Church of Jesus Christ plans to host a photo exhibition the same day showcasing independence fighters and struggle during Japanese occupation.

“The festival was co-organized by several Korean American groups and is a chance to both remember the importance of independence and to bring about further cooperation amongst ourselves,” said James Ahn, federation president. “Los Angeles played a large part in the overseas independence movement. I hope a lot of Koreans participate.”

Korea was put under Japanese imperial rule from 1910 to 1945.