Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has apologized to the Korean-American community following the recent controversy over the city’s decision to relocate a turtle warship Geobukseon model on display inside Los Angeles City Hall.
On August 29, Bass met with key members of the Korean-American community at the City Hall to explain the reasons behind the relocation of Geobukseon, which was donated by Los Angeles’ sister city Busan, South Korea in 1982.
Steve Kang, director of external affairs at the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC), Helen Kim, board member of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA), and Eunice Song, president of the Korean American Coalition (KAC), attended the meeting. Representing the city of Busan, which donated the Geobukseon model, was Eunyoung Ju, Director of the Busan Trade Office Los Angeles. Scott Seo, the head of the “Committee for the Restoration of the Geobukseon Exhibit”, who had raised the issue of relocating the turtle ship model, refused to attend.
The meeting began with an apology from the mayor, who admitted and formally apologized for failing to notify the Korean community and the city of Busan about the relocation decision.
“The decision to restore and relocate the turtle ship was made to showcase the precious artwork to a wider audience,” Bass said, ”and in no way was it meant to reflect negatively on Korean culture or diplomatic relations.”
“Director Ju said that she fully respects the city’s decision because it was LA that received the donation,” said Jieun Kim, a deputy director of Korean Language Communications at the Mayor’s office, quoting Eunyoung Ju, who attended the meeting on behalf of the city of Busan. “She also said that it would be good if the city would also consider a plan to return the model to City Hall.”
The Geobukseon model will be moved to the Convention Center once a decision is made. The city Department of Tourism Director Doane Liu joined the meeting and explained the suitability of the Convention Center for the move. “The Convention Center is a venue that attracts two million people a year,” he said. “With five sports, including taekwondo, taking place at the center during the 2028 LA Olympics, this is an opportunity to showcase Geobukseon to the international audience,” he added.
The city is saying that the relocation is inevitable as it is required to install the Olympic flag in City Hall ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics.
“According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the hosting city must have an Olympic flag in the city hall,” said Jieun Kim of the mayor’s office.
However, the city said it is open to suggestions from the Korean-American community for a better location.
“We will be looking for a better location over the next two weeks with the Korean-American organizations that attended today,” said Kang. “This will be done by collecting and reflecting the opinions of the Korean-American community through public hearings and other necessary means.”
The City will update the LA Consulate General of Korea and the Korean-American community on the progress of the restoration of the turtle ship model and will organize an unveiling ceremony once the work is complete and a new location is determined.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM, HOONSIK WOO [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
