Monterey Korean American community hub opens doors

July 20, 2015
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the opening of the Korean American Community Organization of Monterey County building Saturday.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the opening of the Korean American Community Organization of Monterey County building Saturday.

By The Korea Times San Francisco staff

For Korean Americans in Monterey County, Calif., Saturday, history was made as it opened its first community hub since the local organization’s founding 41 years ago.

Local leaders and the Korean American Community Organization of Monetery County cut the ribbons to the entrance of the two-story, 5,400-square-foot building, located on Echo Avenue in Seaside.

The building will not only house the organization but a Korean language school, a history exhibit and a handful of Korean organizations.

In attendance were Overseas Koreans Foundation head Cho Kyu-hyung, San Francisco Korean Consul General Han Dong-man, Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio, Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado, Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter and 250 other well-wishers.

“This building was made possible by the help of Korean American organizations and by the support of the South Korean government,” said Lee Eung-chan, organization president. “This hub will become a starting point for the second generation to find their identities, a place of cooperation for Korean Americans and a foundation of culture.”