Koreatown, Fort Lee

Koreatown, Fort Lee
포트 리 코리아타운
Fort Lee Koreatown
Koreatown

Main Street and Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee Koreatown
Coordinates: 40°51′02″N 73°58′16″W / 40.85056°N 73.97111°WCoordinates: 40°51′02″N 73°58′16″W / 40.85056°N 73.97111°W
Country  United States of America
State  New Jersey
County Bergen
Agglomeration New York City Metropolitan Area
Borough Fort Lee

Koreatown, Fort Lee, or Fort Lee Koreatown (Hangul: 포트 리 코리아타운), in the borough of Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, in the New York City Metropolitan Area, is one of the largest and fastest growing ethnic Korean enclaves outside of Korea.

Location

The core of this Bergen County Koreatown[1] itself is centered at the intersection of Main Street and Lemoine Avenue and has now extended northward through Sylvan Avenue in the borough of Englewood Cliffs. However, the periphery of Koreatown continues to expand rapidly in all directions. Notably, this entire entity is mutually exclusive of the other significant Bergen County Koreatown which has formed in the nearby borough of Palisades Park,[1][2] the latter being the home of both the highest Korean-American density and percentage of any municipality in the United States.

History

A small number of Korean immigrants have resided the area as early as the 1970s. In the 1990s, a continuous stream of Korean immigrants emerged into Fort Lee Koreatown. A substantial number of affluent and educated Korean American professionals have settled in Bergen County since the early 2000s and have founded various academic and communally supportive organizations, including the Korean Parent Partnership Organization at the Bergen County Academies magnet high school and The Korean-American Association of New Jersey. Approximately 130 Korean stores were counted in Koreatown in 2000,[1] a number which has risen significantly since then, featuring restaurants and karaoke (noraebang) bars, grocery markets, education centers and bookstores, banking institutions, offices, electronics vendors, apparel boutiques, and other commercial enterprises.

Comfort women controversy

Various Korean American groups could not reach consensus on the design and wording for a monument in Fort Lee as of early April 2013 to the memory of so-called comfort women, tens of thousands of women and girls, many Korean, who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers during World War II.[3][4] However, in May 2012, borough officials in neighboring Palisades Park rejected requests by two diplomatic delegations from Japan to remove such a monument from a public park, a brass plaque on a block of stone, dedicated in 2010;[5][6][7] days later, a South Korean delegation had endorsed Palisades Park's decision.[8] In October 2012, a similar memorial was announced in nearby Hackensack, to be raised behind the Bergen County Courthouse, alongside memorials to the Holocaust, the Irish Potato Famine, and the Armenian Genocide,[9] and was unveiled in March 2013.[10][11]

Demographics

The per capita Korean American population of Bergen County, 6.3% by the 2010 United States Census,[12][13] (increasing to 6.9% by the 2011 American Community Survey),[14] is the highest of any county in the United States,[13] with all of the nation's top ten municipalities by percentage of Korean population[15] and an absolute total of 56,773 Korean Americans (increasing to 63,247 by the 2011 American Community Survey)[14] living in the county.[12][16] The concentration of Korean Americans in nearby Palisades Park in turn is the highest of any municipality in the United States,[17] at 52% of the population,[12] enumerating 10,115 residents of Korean ancestry;[18] while Fort Lee has nearly as many Koreans by absolute numbers, at 8,318, representing 23.5% of its 2010 population.[19] Along with Koreatowns in New York City and Long Island, the Bergen County Koreatowns serve as the nexus for an overall Korean American population of 218,764 individuals in the Greater New York Combined Statistical Area,[20] the second largest population of ethnic Koreans outside of Korea.

Climate

Fort Lee Koreatown lies at the northern edge of the humid subtropical climate zone, according to the Köppen climate classification, similarly to Seoul, South Korea;[21] as Bergen County's coldest month (January) averages above 26.6 °F. . In part due to its coastal location and relatively low elevation at approximately 300 feet above sea level,[22] its climate is milder than in New Jersey counties further inland such as Sussex County. Koreatown has a moderately sunny climate, averaging between 2,400 and 2,800 hours of sunshine annually.[23]

Transportation

The George Washington Bridge, the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge,[24][25] provides access to Fort Lee Koreatown from Manhattan in New York City. One of two 47-story residential skyscrapers, to be the tallest in Bergen County, is seen under construction near the gateway to the bridge in December 2013.[26]

Koreatown is served by an extensive transportation network. Interstate 95, U.S. Route 46, and New Jersey Route 4 all provide access to Main Street and Lemoine Avenue; New Jersey Route 63 and County Route 501 connect Fort Lee Koreatown to Palisades Park Koreatown; while Interstate 80, the New Jersey Turnpike, and U.S. Route 1/9 also serve the vicinity. The George Washington Bridge, the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge,[27][28] in turn provides access to Fort Lee Koreatown from Manhattan in New York City. Additionally, New Jersey Transit Bus #156 and New Jersey Transit Bus #158 serve Koreatown with buses to and from New York City.[29] Korean Air and Asiana Airlines provide non-stop flights from Seoul to JFK Airport[30][31] in the nearby New York City borough of Queens, which also is home to a large and growing Korean community.

News organizations

The Korea Times, a news organization based in Seoul, carries a significant presence in Fort Lee Koreatown. The Record of Bergen County, published by North Jersey Media Group, is also ubiquitously available in Koreatown.

Economic clout

The increasing economic clout of Fort Lee Koreatown and Bergen County's educated and growing professional Korean community is reflected in the prominent Korean corporate presence that continues to evolve in the area. Both the LG Corp. and Samsung Electronics, two of Korea's largest multinational corporations, have developed major American headquarters operations in nearby Bergen County locations.[32][33] LG Electronics held a groundbreaking ceremony on November 14, 2013 to build an environmentally friendly North American headquarters in adjoining Englewood Cliffs, having received a favorable legal decision subsequently being appealed based upon building height issues.[34][35]

Political clout

The political stature of Koreatown appears to be increasing significantly as well. Bergen County's growing Korean community[36][37][38][39] was cited by county executive Kathleen Donovan in the context of attorney Jae Y. Kim's appointment to Central Municipal Court judgeship in nearby Hackensack in January 2011.[38] Subsequently in March 2012, leaders from Bergen County's Korean community announced they would form a grassroots political action committee to gain an organized voice in politics in the wake of the rejection of attorney Phillip Kwon to the New Jersey Supreme Court by a state legislative body,[39] and in July 2012, Kwon was appointed instead as deputy general counsel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.[40] Jacqueline Choi was then sworn in as Bergen County's first female Korean American assistant prosecutor in September 2012.[16] According to The Record, the U.S. Census Bureau has determined that the county’s Korean American population has grown enough to warrant language assistance during elections,[12] and Bergen County's Koreans have earned significant political respect.[41][42][43] As of May 2014, Korean Americans had garnered at least four borough council seats in Bergen County.[44]

Public high school education

Fort Lee High School and the Bergen County Academies both serve the residents of Fort Lee Koreatown.

East Sea controversy

According to The Record, the Korean-American Association of New Jersey petitioned Fort Lee school officials in 2013 to use textbooks that refer to the Sea of Japan as the East Sea as well.[45]

Center of Korean culture

Koreatown in nearby Palisades Park has emerged as a dominant nexus of Korean American culture,[46] while Fort Lee's Koreatown is also emerging as such. On a broader note, the Chusok Korean Thanksgiving harvest festival has become an annual tradition in Bergen County, attended by several tens of thousands.[47]

Korean and English are both spoken prevalently in Koreatown. Retail signs employing the Hangul alphabet are ubiquitous.

Cuisine

Fort Lee Koreatown has become a Korean dining destination.[2][48] Korean Chinese cuisine is now also available in Koreatown, as is misugaru.[49]

Public institutions

Koreatown residents can enjoy an urban oasis at Constitution Park.[50] Note the background high-rise apartment complexes typifying a prominent feature of Koreatown.

Both the Fort Lee Public Library[51] and the Fort Lee Borough Hall are located in the area. Koreatown residents can enjoy an urban oasis at Constitution Park.[50]

Medical care

Holy Name Medical Center (affiliated with the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System),[52] Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, and Hackensack University Medical Center serve as medical centers providing Palisades Park Koreatown as well as surrounding communities with comprehensive medical care services. Holy Name Medical Center in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey has undertaken an ambitious effort to provide comprehensive health care services to underinsured and uninsured Korean patients from a wide area with its growing Korean Medical Program.[53][54][55]

Social services

A significant array of social services toward assisting recent as well as established Korean immigrants, is readily available in Koreatown.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Asian Americans: Contemporary Trends and Issues Second Edition, Edited by Pyong Gap Min. Pine Forge Press - An Imprint of Sage Publications, Inc. 2006. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Karen Tina Harrison (2007-12-19). "Thriving Korean communities make Fort Lee and Palisades Park a boon to epicures.". Copyright © 2012 New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  3. ↑ Kirk Semple (May 18, 2012). "In New Jersey, Memorial for ‘Comfort Women’ Deepens Old Animosity". The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ S.P. Sullivan (June 8, 2013). "Sexual slavery issue, discussed internationally, pivots around one little monument in N.J.". New Jersey On-Line LLC. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  5. ↑ Dan Ivers (April 6, 2013). "Critics cause Fort Lee to reconsider monument honoring Korean WWII prostitutes". New Jersey On-Line LLC. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  6. ↑ Linh Tat (April 4, 2013). "Controversy puts planned 'comfort women' memorial in Fort Lee on hold". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  7. ↑ Kirk Semple (May 18, 2012). "In New Jersey, Memorial for ‘Comfort Women’ Deepens Old Animosity". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  8. ↑ Monsy Alvarado (July 12, 2012). "Palisades Park monument to 'comfort women' stirs support, anger". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  9. ↑ Rebecca D. O'Brien (October 14, 2012). "New Jersey's Korean community awakens politically". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  10. ↑ S.P. Sullivan (March 8, 2013). "Bergen County marks International Women's Day with Korean 'comfort women' memorial". © 2013 New Jersey On-Line LLC. All rights reserved. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  11. ↑ Monsy Alvarado (March 8, 2013). "Memorial dedicated to women forced into sexual slavery during WWII". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Karen Sudol and Dave Sheingold (2011-10-12). "Korean language ballots coming to Bergen County". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Richard Newman (2012-08-30). "Korean company to buy Fort Lee bank". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates - Geographies - Bergen County, New Jersey". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ James O'Neill (February 22, 2015). "Mahwah library hosts Korean tea ceremony to celebrate new year". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Monsy Alvarado (2012-09-04). "Bergen County swears in first female Korean-American assistant prosecutor". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  17. ↑ RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA (2010-12-15). "PALISADES PARK JOURNAL As Koreans Pour In, a Town Is Remade". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  18. ↑ "Palisades Park borough, New Jersey QuickLinks". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  19. ↑ "Fort Lee borough, New Jersey QuickLinks". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  20. ↑ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
  21. ↑ "Argo Data Management Team - Meeting 12". Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  22. ↑ "Fort Lee, New Jersey". © 2003-2012 Advameg, Inc. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  23. ↑ "united states annual sunshine map". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  24. ↑ "Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - George Washington Bridge". The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  25. ↑ Bod Woodruff, Lana Zak, and Stephanie Wash (November 20, 2012). "GW Bridge Painters: Dangerous Job on Top of the World's Busiest Bridge". ABC News. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  26. ↑ Linh Tat (November 19, 2013). "Luxury Fort Lee high-rise transforms Bergen County skyline". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - George Washington Bridge". The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  28. ↑ Bod Woodruff, Lana Zak, and Stephanie Wash (November 20, 2012). "GW Bridge Painters: Dangerous Job on Top of the World's Busiest Bridge". ABC News. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  29. ↑ "FROM FORT LEE TO NEW YORK CITY ON 3/28/2012". © 2012 NJ TRANSIT, All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  30. ↑ Matt Molnar (August 9, 2011). "New Korean Air Airbus A380 Makes First Flight to America". Copyright © 2012 NYCAviation All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  31. ↑ "Flights from New York to Seoul". ©2011 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  32. ↑ "Contact Us". Copyright 2012 LG Electronics. All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  33. ↑ "Contact information for Samsung Electronics America". Copyright © 1995-2012 SAMSUNG All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  34. ↑ Rebecca Baker (November 14, 2013). "Dozens of protestors show up at LG groundbreaking in Englewood Cliffs". Norh Jersey Media Group. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  35. ↑ Alana Quartuccio (September 3, 2013). "Study Predicts Englewood Cliffs LG Project Will Bring Huge Revenue Boost". Englewood-EnglewoodCliffs Patch. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  36. ↑ John C. Ensslin (2011-12-20). "North Jersey Korean-Americans relieved but worried about transition". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  37. ↑ "Korean War vets honored at Cresskill church". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Hackensack attorney appointed to court". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Monsy Alvarado (2012-03-30). "North Jersey Korean leaders to form political action committee after Phillip Kwon rejection". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  40. ↑ SHAWN BOBURG AND JOHN REITMEYER (2012-07-26). "Update: Philip Kwon, rejected N.J. Supreme Court nominee, scores a top Port Authority job". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
  41. ↑ John C. Ensslin (2012-08-20). "After decades of work, Bergen County Koreans have earned political respect". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
  42. ↑ Rebecca D. O'Brien (2012-10-14). "New Jersey's Korean community awakens politically". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  43. ↑ Monsy Alvarado (2012-10-09). "Korean-Americans to sponsor three debates". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  44. ↑ Monsy Alvarado (May 12, 2014). "South Korean officials, Menendez lead Englewood discussion on improving joint economy". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  45. ↑ Linh Tat (May 16, 2013). "Korean group petitions schools over textbook". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  46. ↑ Brian Yarvin (2008-06-13). "New York serious eats". Serious Eats © 2006-2012. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  47. ↑ Mary Diduch (September 14, 2013). "Koreans in North Jersey give thanks at harvest festival". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  48. ↑ Melanie Lefkowitz (2011-04-30). "Bergen County's Fort Lee: Town With a View". The Wall Street Journal - Copyright ©2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  49. ↑ Joan Verdon (June 5, 2014). "Korean coffee chain expanding in North Jersey". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Constitution Park". Copyright © 2012 Borough of Fort Lee, New Jersey Official Website. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  51. ↑ "Fort Lee Public Library". © 2011 Fort Lee Public Library. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  52. ↑ "NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System". NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  53. ↑ Karen Rouse (September 29, 2013). "North Jersey Korean health fair data help track risks". North Jersey MediaGroup. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  54. ↑ Barbara Williams (2012-10-20). "Annual Korean health fair draws crowds at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  55. ↑ Barbara Williams (2012-11-24). "Holy Name will screen 2,000 for Hepatitis B". © 2012 North Jersey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 2012-11-24.