World Day of Fasting for the People of North Korea
Union Square Ceremony, San Francisco
April 25, 1998
 
Joongang Ilbo article - Willie Brown speaking SF Joon Ang Ilbo article, 4/24. Pictured is Mayor Willie Brown addressing the crowd.
4/24 Oakland Tribune article 4/24 Oakland Tribune article

Saturday's event in Union Square, held by The Bay Area Coalition for a World Day of Fasting for the People of North Korea, recognized the millions of people presently suffering from starvation and disease in North Korea.  Over 120 people listened to several speeches and musical performances, participated in a ceremonial breaking of the one-day fast, viewed photos, videos, and pictures by Bay Area children, and donated thousands of dollars for food and medical relief for the hungry.  The co-sponsors of the event, the Hunger Relief Fund for North Korea (HRFNK), the Korean American Sharing Movement (KASM), and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), would like to thank all whose donations of time, energy, and money made the event a success - and we look forward to continuing the effort  with you in the coming months.
 
Korean Youth and Cultural Center drummers bring life and energy to the event. 

 
Fred Ross, District Director for U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi, speaks of the value of fasting for understanding the situation faced by most North Koreans. 

 
Rev. Shin Il Suh (speaking) and Rev. Frank Jackson of the Coalition of Korean - African American Churches of the East Bay, breaking the fast with words of prayer in Korean and English. 

 
The Venerable Jin Wol urges compassion. 

 
Christine Hyon (HRFNK) and Rev. Steven Lim (KASM) answer questions and collect donations. 

 
Representatives from the Korean American Sharing Movement, Hunger Relief Fund, and American Friends Service Committee show relieved smiles after the end of the program. 
PROGRAM
5:40 - 5:50  Drum performance: Korean Youth and Culture Center
5:50 - 6:00  Welcome 
Hunger Relief Fund for North Korea: Laura Nelson 
Korean American Sharing Movement: Rev. Sai Kyoun Shin
6:00 - 6:30 Invited Speakers: 
Willie Brown, Mayor of San Francisco 
Fred Ross, District Director for U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi 
Hee Jung Lee, Korean American Association of the San Francisco Bay Area 
Wilson Riles, Regional Director, American Friends Service Committee 
Myung Sun Chun, Northern California Council of Korean Americans from North Korea
6:30 - 6:35  Fast-breaking 
Blessings offered in English and Korean by Rev. Frank Jackson and Rev. Shin Il Suh of the Coalition of Korean - African American Churches of the East Bay
6:35 - 6:45  Musical Performance: Young Hee Kil
6:45 - 6:50  Musical Performance: "545" 
545 includes: Chris McCooey, Chrissy McCooey, Allis Yang, Dylan Thede, and Zhalie Nienu
6:50 - 6:55  Poem: "Roots and Leaves" by Nan Kim 
Read by: Clare You, Jun Lee, and Nan Kim
6:55 - 7:00  Candle lighting 
Prayer by Ven. Jin Wol
7:00 - 7:05  Thanksgiving remarks: David Malinowski
 
Special Thanks to: 
  • Oakland's Koryo Boarding House for making and providing the juk (corn porridge) with which we broke our fast
 
 

For more information  

Contact Hunger Relief Fund for North Korea volunteers by phone (510-645-9678) or email.  
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