January 13, 2021
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Howard County is proud to be home to the largest Korean-American community in the state of Maryland
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recognized the 118th Korean American Day with a virtual celebration with community members. The event featured remarks from First Lady Yumi Hogan, Senator Clarence Lam, and Senator Susan Lee. January 13th, 2021 marks 118 years since the first Korean immigrants came to the United States in 1903. Photos of the event can be found here.
“Here in Howard County we are home to more than 12,000 Korean-Americans, who enrich our businesses, medicine, law, academia, government, arts, literature, and more,” said Ball. “The hundreds of Korean-American businesses in Howard County are a vital economic engine that not only enhance the diverse options in our community but continue to give back and support their neighbors. Today as we celebrate Korean-American Day, we mark the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States on January 13, 1903 and honor the positive contributions of this vibrant and thriving community.”
Over the last 10 months during the pandemic, the Howard County Korean American community has been a pivotal partner in assisting the County with COVID-19 related support, donations and communications. In November 2020, County Executive Ball joined the First Lady to distribute CARES Act relief checks totaling $22,500 to Howard County’s Korean Business community.
There were also speakers from the League of Korean Americans – Maryland, League of Korean-Americans – Howard County, the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington, the Greatest Korean-American Association of the State of Maryland, and the Howard County Senior Association.