Sister Cities: Grand Rapids and Gangnam
On April 28th, Mayor Bliss and City Manager Washington had a virtual meeting with Gangnam-gu's Mayor Jeong Sun-kyun to discuss the planned Sister City relationship between Grand Rapids and Gangnam-gu.
This was the first meeting between these elected officials. Discussions included opportunities for artistic, cultural and economic exchanges, such as Gangnam-gu's continued hosting of ArtPrize in a pop-up format, K-Pop concerts in Grand Rapids as well as start-up, business and medical partnerships.
Each side is excited about the Sister City relationship and has agreed to seek formal approval from its governing body with the hope to have an in-person or virtual signing ceremony in the fall.
Korean Connection
Building Cultural and Economic Bridges
Korean Connection is a non-profit organization in Grand Rapids formed by people who share connections with South Korea through family, friendships, business, culture, curiosity, or history.
We support the exchange of ideas, understanding, appreciation, and support for the close historical and economic ties between the people of Korea, the U.S. and our own state of Michigan.
Language Classes
SUMMER SESSION 2021
Thank you for your interest! Korean Connection will be hosting Korean language classes for Beginner & Intermediate via Zoom very soon.
The six week course for each level will begin in July, and be held every Saturday from 10am - 11:30 am EST.
Sign up online and reserve your spot today!
Last day to register: July 3
Chuseok:
A Korean Thanksgiving
At the Goie Center
A spirit of gratitude and a spirit of connection infused Korean Connection's first-ever Chuseok event from start to finish.
Chuseok, which means autumn eve in Korean, is a major, three-day harvest festival that has been celebrated for centuries in Korea as thanks for the year's good harvest. Korean Connection chose in 2019 to formally celebrate Chuseok for the first time in thanks to West Michigan for its many years of support and participation in the organization's community events.
