Community News

OC Fair Board honors Dongwoo ‘Joe’ Pak during AANHPI Heritage Month

 

by: Terry Moore
Published: June 1, 2026

 

 

COSTA MESA...In recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Board of Directors of the 32nd District Agricultural Association honored Dongwoo Joseph “Joe” Pak with a proclamation at the Board’s meeting on Thursday.

 Pak was instrumental in establishing the Orange County Korean War Memorial Monument in Fullerton which recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of 36,591 U.S. soldiers.

Of those, 2,612 were from California and 58 from the Orange County. 

 

During a visit to Lincoln Park, Washington D.C., home of several war memorial sites, he was shocked to see that none of the names of those who gave their lives during the Korean War were listed. Pak then worked community leaders to create a memorial space to honor the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War. After 12 years of hard work and community collaboration, his leadership lead to the creation of a memorial to honor our Korean War heroes, located at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton.

Pak has served as a Senior Field Representative for the Office of Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva since 2013, working closely with the Korean American community in the 67th Assembly District and providing constituent assistance to the cities of Buena Park and Cerritos, as well as AANHPI communities, seniors and the disability community districtwide.

The Board of Directors of the 32nd District Agricultural Association, also known as OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors, regularly honors community members during cultural heritage months, recognizing their contributions to the county and beyond.

Photo:OCFair