Resolution to designate Nov. 22 as 'Kimchi Day' sent to House floor

A resolution aimed at designating Nov. 22 as 'Kimchi Day' has been sent to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a Korean American heritage museum Wednesday.

Volunteers make kimchi, a Korean traditional dish, on Nov. 22 last year, to commemorate Kimchi Day. [NEWS1]

A resolution aimed at designating Nov. 22 as “Kimchi Day” has been sent to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a Korean American heritage museum Wednesday.

While some states, such as California, Virginia, and New York, have previously declared Kimchi Day to commemorate the Korean traditional dish, it would be the first federal-level recognition of Kimchi Day in the United States should the resolution be adopted.

The U.S. House Oversight Committee is planning to introduce the resolution for Kimchi Day on Dec. 6, which will be considered for adoption during a plenary session, according to the Museum of Korean American Heritage on Wednesday.

The Kimchi Day resolution will be presented without a formal vote, as Congressman Young Kim, a Republican of Korean descent, will present it during the plenary session. The initiative is a bipartisan effort, with Congressman Kim being the primary sponsor, along with 14 other Republican and Democratic representatives who jointly introduced the resolution.

The coordination for the resolution's adoption without a vote is seen as “an expression of gratitude from both party leaders toward the Korean community,” explained the Korean American Immigration Museum, which took the lead in drafting and promoting the resolution.

The resolution emphasizes the nutritional value of kimchi, a traditional Korean food rich in probiotics, vitamins, and various nutrients. It also underscores the increasing popularity of kimchi among different consumers in the U.S.

Nov. 22 was proclaimed as Kimchi Day by the Kimchi Association of Korea and has been designated as a legal anniversary in Korea since 2020.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]