“Protecting the rights of Korean Americans is urgent”… 10,787 participants joined petition campaign concluded in August
The petition campaign to establish a South Korean consular office in Colorado has surpassed 10,000 signatures, marking a major milestone for the local Korean American community. At a press conference held on September 3 at 5 p.m. at the Second Home Community Center (1200 S Abilene St Unit C, Aurora, CO 80012), the Colorado Consular Office Establishment Committee announced that a total of 10,787 signatures had been collected. The event was hosted by Committee Secretary Jung Joo-seok, with Committee Chair Guk Seung-gu delivering the main briefing.
The committee expressed gratitude to supporting businesses and individuals, stating, “We were able to achieve this result thanks to the Second Home Community, H-Mart, and many others who stood with us.” They also highlighted the role of local media, adding, “The promotion by Colorado Times, with its large online readership, significantly boosted online participation in the petition.” Chair Guk emphasized, “This achievement was possible because of the community’s warm support and dedication.”
The petition drive, which officially concluded in August, combined online and offline efforts. QR code promotions and the involvement of student volunteers proved highly effective. Through community events and outreach, the campaign quickly exceeded its target.
Alongside the petition, fundraising efforts raised a total of $8,900 in donations. Of this amount, $8,695.20 was used for campaign expenses, leaving a remaining balance of $253.76, which was transparently reported at the press conference.
The committee announced plans to formally submit the petition in September to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Consulate General of San Francisco. Supporting documents, including briefing materials and letters of endorsement from local political leaders, will accompany the petition. “On September 10, we will depart for Korea to meet directly with members of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Chair Guk said, adding, “We will do everything possible to secure funding for a consular office in Colorado.”
The committee also revealed plans to produce a promotional video to raise awareness of the urgent need for a Colorado consular office and, if necessary, to appeal directly to President Lee Jae-myung.
Colorado has experienced rapid growth in its Korean American population, now estimated at around 50,000. When combined with nearby states such as Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, the number of Koreans in the consular service gap area is estimated at nearly 100,000. Yet, South Korea’s consular services are concentrated on the East and West coasts, leaving a void in the central U.S.
As a result, Korean Americans in Colorado must travel more than 700 miles to San Francisco or Chicago to renew passports, obtain visas, or process official documents. These long distances create significant time and financial burdens, often leading to delays in essential services. The committee stressed that “elderly residents and those with mobility challenges suffer the most,” calling the establishment of a consular office “an urgent matter of rights and protection.”
The campaign gained wide-ranging support, not only from Korean Americans in Colorado but also from residents in Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, and Utah. In addition, other immigrant communities expressed solidarity during the petition drive at H-Mart, sharing their own frustrations about the lack of local consular services and signing in support.
Local coordinators carried out their duties diligently, handling online and offline materials, and gathering endorsements from governors, mayors, and legislators. One attendee remarked, “I was deeply impressed by how much has been accomplished after such long preparation. When I first heard about the idea, it felt daunting, but now I can see results taking shape. The transparent and detailed reporting gives us real hope.”
Following a Q&A session at the press conference, Chair Guk invited committee members and volunteers to a dinner at Hiro Buffet Restaurant to thank them for their dedication and to celebrate the successful conclusion of the campaign. The committee reaffirmed that this petition represents “the first step toward alleviating hardships and protecting the rights of Koreans in Colorado,” urging active attention and support from the South Korean government.
