Episode 19. The Korean Bell of Friendship

This episode is all about the Korean Bell which sits atop Angel's Gate Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Transcript

Joel: 0:10

Hey folks, welcome back to The Harbor Area Podcast, where we dive into stories about the Harbor Area and some of its most iconic landmarks. Today, we're headed to the windswept cliffs of San Pedro to talk about a place that’s stunning, symbolic, and full of history: the Korean Bell of Friendship. Whether you’ve walked up to it on a bright sunny day or only seen it shimmering in the distance, by the end of this episode, you’ll know the story behind the bell — the bond it represents, and why it almost didn’t happen. Let’s set the scene. Perched on a grassy hill in Angel’s Gate Park, the Korean Bell looks like something out of another world — massive, ornate, and commanding. It stands inside an intricately painted pavilion with sweeping blue, green, and red beams — traditional Korean colors known as Dancheong. Dancheong refers to the vibrant reds, greens, and blues painted on traditional Korean structures. Each color carries symbolic meaning: Green symbolizes life, red represents protection, blue stands for hope, and white for purity. But this isn’t just a monument. It’s a promise — a symbol of friendship between two countries, Korea and the United States — forged during conflict, sacrifice, and renewal. But how did this incredible bell end up here, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Pedro? To answer that, we need to go back — way back to 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, triggering the Korean War. The United States, along with 15 other United Nations countries, came to South Korea’s defense. Tens of thousands of Americans fought — and many gave their lives — to protect a country most had never seen before. By 1953, an armistice was signed — an agreement by opposing sides to stop fighting. But the cost of freedom was steep. In the decades that followed, South Korea rebuilt itself — and deep gratitude toward the U.S. remained. Let’s fast forward to 1976. The United States was preparing to celebrate its bicentennial — 200 years of independence. South Korea wanted to mark the occasion with a gift — not just any gift, but something deeply meaningful. A symbol that honored the sacrifices made, the friendship shared, and the hope for peace in the future. That gift? The Korean Bell of Friendship. If you’ve ever seen it in person, you know — the bell is breathtaking. It was cast in South Korea and weighs about 17 tons — that’s more than the weight of five adult elephants. It’s made of bronze and tin, with intricate images molded into its surface — four pairs of figures representing the spirits of Korean culture: the Goddess of Liberty, the Goddess of Peace, and two celestial beings — Haetae and Chilin, mythical creatures symbolizing protection and good fortune. Even the pavilion it stands under carries deep meaning. It’s called a belfry — the part of a bell tower where the bell is housed. It was built by Korean craftsmen who traveled to San Pedro specifically for the project. They used traditional joinery methods — no nails, no shortcuts. Everything was joined with wooden pegs, reflecting unity and strength. The dedication ceremony took place on July 4th, 1976 — A deliberate choice: America’s Independence Day. This was nearly 50 years ago. Representatives from both countries came together. Speeches were made. Hands were shaken. And for the first time, the massive bell rang out across the cliffs. It was more than a sound — it was a message: “We are bound together by sacrifice, by loyalty, and by the dream of peace.” Today, the bell is rung only on special occasions — four times a year: July 4th (U.S. Independence Day) August 15th (Korean Liberation Day) New Year’s Eve and September 17th, to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution. And ringing the bell? It’s not a casual act. It’s done with a massive wooden log, suspended horizontally like a battering ram. When it strikes the bell, it releases a deep, powerful tone — low, almost mystical — that rolls across the water, into the ocean, and up to the sky. But like many historic treasures, the bell has had its challenges. Over time, weather, neglect, and even vandalism caused serious wear. By the early 2000s, the paint was peeling, the wood was cracking, and the bell itself was at risk. Thankfully, a major restoration effort in 2013 — led by community activists, the Korean American community, and the City of Los Angeles — brought it back to life. The pavilion was repainted by hand, the beams repaired, and the bell carefully cleaned — restoring it to its original glory. Today, the Korean Bell is more than a monument. It’s a gathering place — for celebrations, moments of reflection, and even film shoots. You might’ve seen it in movies like The Usual Suspects or shows like 24. But more than anything, it’s a place of gratitude — Gratitude for alliances. Gratitude for sacrifice. Gratitude for the fragile, yet beautiful dream — of peace. And its location only adds to its beauty. Standing atop Angel’s Gate Park, with the endless ocean behind it and the Los Angeles coastline at its feet, the Korean Bell becomes more than a monument. Its placement magnifies its presence — turning it into a beacon, one that seems to quietly watch over the Pacific. So next time you’re in San Pedro, take a moment to visit the Korean Bell of Friendship. Stand beneath its incredible pavilion. Feel the ocean breeze. And listen. Even if the bell isn’t ringing — you just might hear the echoes of its history in the wind. Hey folks, thanks for tuning in to The Harbor Area Podcast. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And hey — if there’s a hidden gem you want me to uncover next, shoot me a message. Until next time, keep exploring — and keep the stories alive.