Let's Work Harder to Advance Korea–U.S. Relations

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, led by Consul General Lim Jung-taek, held its 2026 National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) reception on the evening of October 5 in the Green Room of the War Memorial Opera House.

About 200 guests attended, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, Chief of Protocol Penny Coulter, SF–Seoul Sister City Committee Chairman Hagen Choi, State Department Office of Foreign Missions head John Choi, diplomats and Korean community leaders. In his welcome, Consul General Lim traced ties back to the arrival of a Korean diplomatic mission in 1883, and mentioned President Lee Jae-myung's July visit to San Francisco and hopes for closer cooperation in AI, venture capital and technology. Mayor Lurie praised Korea's growth since the war, highlighted 50 years of friendship between Seoul and San Francisco, and pointed to SFMOMA's exhibition of BTS member RM's art collection as a cultural bridge for young people in both countries.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship, the Seoul Metropolitan Government sent the Biseul dance troupe at the SF–Seoul Sister City Committee's invitation. The troupe performed the hwagwanmu flower-crown dance, contemporary pieces based on traditional dance, and a pansori song wishing both cities a bright future. The evening also featured a Seoul promotional booth and a tasting of about eight traditional Korean liquors.