Speeches and Transcripts
Chuseok Holiday Message
October 3, 2009
During the Chuseok holiday season, people across Korea look forward to making songpyeon, filling their cups with rice wine and celebrating with distant relatives. In another month, Americans will be setting the table for turkey smothered in gravy, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and, for many of the country’s Korean-Americans, kimchi. While the traditions of Chuseok may differ from those of American Thanksgiving, the two holidays share something in common: They both encourage us to spend time with our families and remind us to give thanks for the abundance in our lives. I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all the citizens of the Republic of Korea on this joyous occasion of thanksgiving and to wish you all a pleasant and safe Chuseok holiday season.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Stephens
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea