February 9, 2018

The day the night sky over PyeongChang, Gangwon-do, was illuminated by colorful fireworks. As the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics took place, it was a day when Canada and Korea became perfectly united through "winter sports," marked by the visit of then-Governor General Julie Payette to Korea. Watching the entrance of Team Canada and the joint march of the North and South Korean athletes from the Korean Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto and from their own living rooms, people felt both pride as "Canadians" and a deep emotional stirring as "Koreans."

February 12, 2010

The opening day of the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada. Although the event took place in Vancouver, Toronto was deeply connected to this history. At the time, Korean figure skating hero Yuna Kim had been training for the Olympics at the "Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club." Her mentor was the Canadian figure skating legend, Coach Brian Orser. As the curtain rose on the Olympics on February 12th, Koreans watching the ice in Vancouver simultaneously pictured the training rink in Toronto where Yuna Kim had poured out her sweat and tears. The opening ceremony that day confirmed that, through sports, the emotional distance between the two countries had become much shorter than the physical distance.

February 14, 1951

Canadian forces (including the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI) were continuing their northward advance in the mountainous regions near Yangpyeong and Jipyeong-ri, Gyeonggi-do, as part of "Operation Thunderbolt." Amidst sub-zero temperatures and rugged terrain, Canadian soldiers marched toward the Han River, dedicating their youth to an unfamiliar land and unfamiliar people. This record is significant because of the "humanity" that blossomed even amidst the gunfire of war. If veterans in veterans' hospitals in Ottawa or Toronto tear up when thinking of Korea in February today, it is likely because they remember the freedom of Korea they defended more vividly than the bitter cold of that day.

February 15, 1965

A pivotal day in Canadian history: "National Flag of Canada Day." On February 15, 1965, the existing flag featuring the British Union Jack (the Red Ensign) was lowered at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and the red Maple Leaf flag we know today was raised for the first time. The history of full-scale Korean immigration also began alongside this new flag. This day marked Canada’s declaration to step out from the shadow of the British Commonwealth and move toward becoming a multicultural nation; it also serves as the starting point where Koreans could acquire the new name, "Korean-Canadian."