Korean Friendship Bell in Angels Gates Park

Gaffey and 37th St.
San Pedro, CA
belloffriendship.org 

Korean Friendship Bell - San Pedro California San Pedro, California--The massive and intricately-decorated bell and pavilion was donated in 1976 to the people of Los Angeles by the people of the Republic of Korea to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. independence, honor veterans of the Korean War, and to consolidate traditional friendship between the two countries. The bell is patterned after the Bronze Bell of King Songdok, which was cast in 771 A.D. and is still on view in South Korea today.

The Korean Bell of Friendship is a massive bronze bell housed in a stone pavilion in Angel's Gate Park, in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles. Korean-American Peace Park, in an old portion of Fort MacArthur offers stunning vistas of the Los Angeles Harbor and bay. Its hilltop views are seen by hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the park annually. While people would visit this park for its amazing views alone, the bell and pagoda in which it sits provide an added attraction. Built and dedicated to honor American veterans of the Korean War, it was dedicated on October 3, 1976 and is considered a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 187).

Over 17 tons of copper and tin, gold, nickel, lead, and phosphorus were melted and re-molded to make this bell and provide its unique tone. There is no clapper. The bell is rung by a huge wooden stick. Eight figures--the Goddess of Liberty, Yin Yang, a branch of rose of Sharon, a branch of laurel, a dove, and a Korean symbol are engraved on the bell, which is huge (see photos above.) You can hear the bell ring several times each year-- New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, August 15- Korean Independence Day, and in September for Constitution Week.

The pavilion which houses the bell was built by Korean craftsmen over a period of ten months. Its design is traditional. It is symmetric, consisting of a peaked, gabled roof supported by twelve columns representing the Chinese zodiac, each column guarded by a carved animal.

THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESENT THIS BELL TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL JUBILEE AND IN COMMEMORATION OF CENTURY OF FRIENDSHIP AND TRUST BETWEEN OUR TWO PEOPLES.
THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR PIONEER SPIRIT AND ASPIRATION FOR INDEPENDENCE, A FREE AND PROSPEROUS NATION ON A NEW CONTINENT.

THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS SERVE AS AN IMPETUS AND INSPIRATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL MANKIND. THE TRADITIONAL AMITY BETWEEN OUR TWO PEOPLES HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UPON THIS SHARED FAITH IN FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE WHEN KOREA SUFFERED UNDER THE YOKE OF FOREIGN RULE, THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES CAME FORWARD AS ENCOURAGING FRIENDS WITH THE VICTORY OF THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR II, KOREA'S UNFLAGGING PATRIOTIC STRUGGLE FINALLY ATTAINED THE GOAL OF NATIONAL LIBERATION.

IN STRIVING TO PRESERVE FREEDOM, THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ARE INSEPARABLE ALLIES LINKED BY TIES FORGED IN BLOOD.

THIS IS A FRATERNITY OF MUTUAL TRUST WHICH SHALL REMAIN FOREVER UNCHANGED.

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 Korean friendship Bell was cast in Korea and then shipped to the United States.

The bell is set in a pagoda-like stone structure which was constructed on the site by thirty craftsmen flown in from Korea and it took 10 months to complete. The pavilion is supported by 12 columns representing the twelve designs of the Asian zodiac animals that stand guard at the base of each column.

Vacationing in San Pedro - Your travel guide to Southern California Vacations:

San Pedro makes for an excellent overnight vacation for those taking a cruise ship out of the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. In addition to historical and nautical museums, a red car trolley runs on the weekends and there are beaches to enjoy. San Pedro is under redevelopment and is rekindling the elegance of an early era with its downtown renovations of Loft Condominiums and apartments. There are several hotels in San Pedro that offer a great location for your vacation plans. Two great options for hotel stays include Crowne Plaza Hotel and Marina Hotel San Pedro near Cabrillo Beach.