Fullerton City Mayor Fred Jung declared a 1-acre site adjacent to Duck Pond Park to be the future home of the “Korean Garden” on August 3, 2023. Yet, this moment of celebration quickly descended into embarrassment as it was revealed that Mayor Fred Jung lacked the authority to allocate Hillcrest Park, Fullerton, for this purpose.

City Manager Eric Levitt disclosed that the property has numerous deed restrictions that impose strict limitations on its use. In an email to the Korean Federation Levitt stated, “We are required to maintain the existing drought-tolerant landscape and other existing improvements. Based on the language on the attached agreement, we will also need to obtain written approval from the State before we can make any changes to the maintenance of the property.” This raises the question: how could the mayor celebrate a project he is not authorized to implement and say that he represents the City Council and Fullerton respectively?

Despite this oversight, Mayor Jung stood before local officials and honored guests, proudly proclaiming, “It is a great honor to celebrate such a meaningful day on the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance and the 120th anniversary of Korean immigrants to the United States.” While the intent to celebrate cultural ties is commendable, the disconnect between the mayor’s grand declarations and the reality of the situation is cringe-worthy.

In a further twist, the Korean American Federation of Orange County has been rendered powerless and unable to move forward with any maintenance efforts until the City and the State bless a Memorandum of Understanding. Where is the accountability in this process?

The opening ceremony on August 3, 2023, may have attracted local officials like Buena Park Councilwoman Joyce Ahn and notable figures from the Korean community, including Consul General Moon Jung-hee but the celebration was a farce and not a genuine acknowledgment of cultural heritage. Mayor Jung’s assurance of future expansion plans for the Korean Garden rings hollow when juxtaposed against the significant restrictions governing the site.

As the community looks to local leadership for guidance and respect for cultural commemoration, this misstep underscores a troubling lack of oversight and preparedness. If the Korean Garden is to serve as a symbol of history and a beacon for the community, it must not be marred by negligence and misguided celebrations. The Fullerton City Council owes its residents transparency and accountability, especially when recognizing Korean Americans’ contributions to this nation’s fabric.

Refer to the original story published in the Korea Times in the US edition on August 4, 2023, before it was known to be incorrect. http://www.koreatimes.com/article/1475906

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