Koreans criticize NYC mayor for 'Chinese New Year Day' gaffe

By Ko Dong-hwan

Korean community in New York City criticized the mayor for his recent oriental holiday greeting speech as being too near-sighted to include no other Asians except the Chinese, sources said Tuesday.

The Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York sent a letter to the mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday, arguing his address to only Chinese people in his New Year Day congratulatory speech was erratic.

The association added the mayor must realize that the holiday is celebrated by other Asian nations than China too, including Korea and Vietnam, the sources said.

In his Friday speech, Blasio delivered a warm reception to New Yorkers celebrating the annual lunar holidays. But the politician identified only the city’s Chinese community, not mentioning other ethnic groups, as he directed the speech.

The carelessness in Blasio’s speech went further as it was later translated into only Chinese when the mayor’s subject of appreciation was clearly “Asians” dedicated to prosperity of the city and the nation.

The mayor had previously drawn fire from Asians in October last year when he mistakenly referred to the day as “Chinese New Year Day.”