Thinking Global in the USA #5: Korean Friendship Bell (San Pedro California)

Korean Friendship Bell, Photo by Krenda

Viewed by some Koreans as the West Coast Statue of Liberty, the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro California is a good place to talk to kids about the friendship between Korean and the United States. Korean bells were believed to have the power to restore peace.  It is fitting that the Korean Friendship Bell has an inscription "May this bell ring and sound forth the hope and resolve of our two nations in their common devotion to enduring prosperity, liberty, and peace."

The bell sits within a beautiful pavilion in a grassy area overlooking the Pacific Ocean and giving you a view of the Los Angeles harbor.  Drive to the Angel Gate Park in San Pedro.  You'll notice two totem poles with the artist name Jong-heung Kim.  After visiting, it inspired me to learn more.  Jong-heung Kim is a traditional Korean Totem Pole Master.  He presented his work to Queen Elizabeth II, President Bush, and President George W. Bush.  Korean traditional totem poles were meant to protect Korean villages against evil spirits or other disasters.  They don't tell stories, but also meant to bring good fortune.  One male with description 'Great General Under Heaven' and 'Great General Under Earth' make the park even more interesting.

The pagoda-like structure housing the bell was constructed by craftsmen in Korea.  The 12 columns represent the 12 designs of the Oriental Zodiac.  In 1976, both the pavilion and the bell were given to the people of Los Angeles from Korea for the U.S. Bicentennial.  By 1978, the bell was declared a Los Angeles Historic Monument.  The United States now has the second-largest Korean population living outside Korea.  China ranks #1.  Within the US, Los Angeles area has the highest population of Korean Americans, followed by New York City area.

When you approach the Belfry of Friendship Pavilion, the bell size will impress you at 7 feet high, 7.5 feet in diameter, and 17 tons in weight.  Patterned after the Bronze Bell of King Sondok which was cast in 1771 A.D, these bells are among the largest bells in the world.  In comparison, there's only one Korean Bell Pavilion on the East Coast, Korean Bell Garden in Virginia, and it weighs 3 tons.  The bell structure goes straight down versus curving outward and is rung by a log.  If you want to see the bell rung, you need to choose your visit to specific dates - 1) US Independence Day (July 4th), 2) National Liberation Day of Korea (August 15th), 3) New Year's Eve, 4) Constitution Week (September 17th), and Korean-American Day (January 13th).

Visiting this site won't take the entire day, so visit the nearby Marine Mammal Care Center and Point Fermin Lighthouse too.