The community celebrated the culture and arts of Korea during the 12th anniversary of the Washington State Korean-American Day Celebration on Sunday at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. Elected officials throughout the state, as well as the consulate general of the Republic of Korea and leaders of the Korean-American community attended the event, which included a ceremony and Korean cultural performance by fusion musical team Queen.

The Korean Day bill, signed and passed by former Gov. Chris Gregoire in 2007, recognizes the cultural and economic achievements made by Washington’s Korean-Americans. Originally having arrived in Hawaii as tenant laborers to work in the sugar plantations in 1903, the Korean-American community now contributes greatly to the vitality of the local economy and participates actively in local, social, political and cultural life.

Photos courtesy of Bruce Honda