The Philadelphia chapter of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, chaired by Bong Haeng Lee, set up a booth at the 2026 Philadelphia Kimchi Festival in LOVE Park on October 24. Its 38 Jump Challenge and Million People Interview initiative drew enthusiastic responses from visitors.
The festival was organized by the Korean Cultural Foundation, led by In Sook Seol. Seol previously served as president of the National Association for Korean Schools’ Mid-Eastern Regional Chapter and currently serves as an adviser to the Philadelphia Peaceful Unification council, alongside leadership and volunteer roles in other community organizations.
Programs included kimchi making, traditional Korean performances, taekwondo demonstrations, K-pop dance and a participatory hanbok fashion show, giving visitors opportunities to enjoy Korean food and culture together.
PASSi CEO Ken Yang delivered welcoming remarks and emceed the festival. Jae Yong Lee, head of the Philadelphia office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York; David Oh, who served three terms on Philadelphia City Council; and Asian Business Association President Louis Kang also attended and offered congratulatory remarks.
Seol said she was pleased to share Korean flavors and the culture of giving through kimchi, and hoped the festival would help neighbors understand one another’s cultures and build friendships.
In his remarks, Bong Haeng Lee said participants were sharing Korea’s flavors and traditions through kimchi at LOVE Park while getting to know one another. He said kimchi embodies the care and generosity of families and neighbors who gather to make and share it.
Just as diverse ingredients combine to create kimchi’s depth of flavor, he said, people from different backgrounds can build a stronger and more vibrant community together. Sharing food, conversation and laughter is a good starting point, he added.
Addressing peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, Lee said the Philadelphia council works to broaden understanding and common ground. He said peace grows when people listen to one another’s stories, respect differences and build trust through encounters like the festival.
The council encouraged participation through the 38 Jump Challenge and gathered diverse views on peace on the Korean Peninsula through its Million People Interview initiative. Visitors reflected on peaceful coexistence while taking part in activities and interviews.
The effort was especially meaningful as a collaboration between a local cultural organization led by a council adviser and the council itself, combining cultural exchange with peace-oriented public diplomacy. The council connected interest in Korean culture with conversations about peace on the Korean Peninsula, creating a space for communication between the Korean community and its neighbors.