San Francisco Mayor Engages Local Korean Businesses Through Digital Communication
- karasanfrancisco
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
February 26, 2025 San Francisco, CA – San Francisco’s new leadership is gaining attention for its direct and digital-first approach to political communication. Since taking office in January, Mayor Daniel Lurie, the 46th Mayor of San Francisco, has adopted an active engagement strategy, personally visiting communities, addressing local issues firsthand, and sharing real-time updates via his social media platforms. His proactive digital communication and community-driven approach are expected to have a significant impact on addressing the city’s complex challenges.
On the afternoon of February 25 (Tuesday), Mayor Lurie visited the Fillmore District in San Francisco to meet with local business owners and hear their concerns. The Fillmore community has been facing economic challenges following the recent closure of Safeway on February 7, due to ongoing theft and security concerns. As a result, revitalizing the area’s economy has become a key focus for the city. Accompanying the Mayor on this visit were officials from the Office of Community Engagement and staff from the District 5 Supervisor’s Office, who engaged in discussions with local merchants to explore potential solutions. Mayor Lurie later shared details of his visit through his Instagram (@danielluriesf), reinforcing his commitment to working alongside community leaders to address these pressing issues.
Among the businesses visited was Kitchen Woori, a well-known Korean establishment in Fillmore, along with representatives from the Korean American Restaurant Association of San Francisco (KARA SF). Hakwoon Kim, owner of Kitchen Woori and Woori Market, spoke with Mayor Lurie about the significance of Korean food and culture in San Francisco, expressing appreciation for the Mayor’s efforts in revitalizing the Fillmore district. Mayor Lurie, a self-proclaimed fan of Korean cuisine, personally recorded a conversation with Kim, later posting it to his Instagram account. The video, which was also reposted on Kitchen Woori’s Instagram, quickly gained traction, surpassing 1,000 views within 10 hours, demonstrating strong local interest and engagement.
During the meeting, KARA SF presented an official proposal for its latest initiative, "Uncharted Koreatown," and formally requested city support for the project. "Uncharted Koreatown" is a digital mapping project aimed at connecting the history, culture, arts, food, and business networks of the Korean community in San Francisco. Utilizing NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, the project enables visitors to tap their smartphones on designated locations, leading them to a curated web platform (https://www.karasf.org/blog) that showcases local Korean heritage, businesses, and cultural stories. By leveraging digital tools, this initiative aims to make hidden narratives of the Korean community more accessible, further enriching San Francisco’s diverse cultural landscape.
As a global hub for technological innovation and digital transformation, San Francisco continues to explore new ways of fostering communication and engagement between city leadership and minority communities. Through platforms like Instagram and digital mapping technology, initiatives such as "Uncharted Koreatown" present a modern and interactive approach to preserving and sharing ethnic heritage. This strategy not only enhances cultural visibility but also lays the groundwork for stronger collaboration between the city and the Korean-American community. With the city's commitment to innovation and inclusion, this initiative is expected to set a new precedent for digital networking and cross-cultural engagement in urban governance.
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