TUKWILLA—The Greater Seattle Korea Association held its official Green Earth Cup Kickoff event Saturday, June 28, at its headquarters in Tukwilla – to celebrate its upcoming Green Earth Cup League and Tournament this August.
Soccer fans eagerly awaiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a chance to satiate their appetite on August 2 with the Green Earth Cup League and Tournament at Valley Ridge Fields in Tukwila. The event will pit 20 teams against each other, each representing a different country including Korea, China, Vietnam, Mexico, and more, in a round robin-style tournament with cultural celebrations, food, and performances sprinkled without.
“The Green Earth Cup is not just about competition — it’s about connection. As someone representing teams from many cultures and communities, I’ve seen firsthand how soccer brings people together beyond language and borders,” said Hwan Choi, Washington Korean Soccer Association President. “This tournament is a symbol of unity and mutual respect. We may wear different jerseys, but we all share the same love for the game, and the same hope for a better future together.”
At Saturday’s kickoff event, popular fitness influencer Minsoo Go provided opening remarks before the crowd of roughly 75 people joined in for the U.S. National Anthem. A moment of silence was then held to honor unity, peace, and community.
Wonjun Kim, President of the Greater Seattle Korea Association and Chairman of the Green Earth Cup League and Tournament, then took the stage to share a few words.
“The Green Earth Cup is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of who we are as a community. In a time when division is easy, this event reminds us that unity takes courage,” said President Kim Saturday. “By bringing together people of all backgrounds through sport, we’re planting seeds of friendship, understanding, and respect. As Seattle prepares to welcome the world in 2026, we’re proud to lead by example and show that many nations can share one passion — and one purpose.”
President Kim’s speech resounded with the Green Earth Cup’s motto: “Many Nations. One Passion.” What started as a small idea leading up to the FIFA 2026 World Cup, President Kim hopes, will stretch beyond a simple soccer competition and bring people of different cultures living together in the U.S., to get to know each other, share their culture, and cooperate in solidarity.
Sam Cho, Port of Seattle Commissioner, then took the stage to share some remarks followed by Mae Pineda-Dominguez, President of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, TC Lo, President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Marcos Wanless, President of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
As part of the kickoff toast ceremony, Sam Sim, Vice President of the Greater Seattle Korea Association and Executive Director of the Green Earth League and Tournament, delivered a unifying message that stood in contrast to the growing polarization seen both locally and globally. Sim emphasized the importance of demonstrating to the world that despite our differences — whether in race, ethnicity, political background, or orientation — we can stand together in unity.
“The Greater Seattle Korea Association has been around for 40 years but really this is the first time ever that we’ve had so much ethnic diversity at a gathering, meeting, or social function,” Sam Sim told the Lynnwood Times. “It validated everything that we’re doing.”
He highlighted that through the power of sport, we can bridge those differences, uplift one another, and become an example for all. At our core, we all share one common goal: the desire to build the best lives possible for ourselves and for our families. That shared human pursuit, Sim noted, is at the heart of the Green Earth Cup’s mission and reflected in its theme — “Many Nations. One Passion.”
After the speakers the event broke for a delicious Korean dinner with traditional Korean dance performances. In part two of the evening coaches and athletes for participating Green Earth Cup teams held a panel where they answered questions about the upcoming August event.
Following the panel, President Kim presented an official appreciation plaque before Chair Alisa Na gifted a bouquet of ceremonious flowers to Consul Kyungho Park with the Korean Consulate of Seattle.
Concluding Saturday’s festivities, a partnership agreement was signed between the Greater Seattle Korea Association and the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
Then, in a comedic, and theatric fashion–in which the Korea Association leaders pretended President Kim had gone missing—President Kim appeared revealing the official Green Earth Cup League and Tournament trophy to “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd.
Elected officials and dignitaries in attendance included: Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho, Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen, Captain Ben Kang with the U.S. Army, Joint Base Lewsi-McChord, Consul Hyun-Seok Kim with the Korean Consulate of Seattle, Consul Park with the Korean Consulate of Seattle, SeaTac City Councilmember Peter Kwon, Martha Lee, President of the Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition, President TC Lo, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, President May Deza Dominguez, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, President Marcos Wanless, Latino Chamber of Commerce, Snohomish Superior Court Judge George Appel, Snohomish Superior Court Judge Tam Bui, and Mukilteo City Councilmember Jason Moon.
The following candidates running for elected positions in attendance included: candidate for Redmond City Council Vijay Beniwal, candidate for King County Council Kim Khan Vanh, candidate for King County Council Peter Kwon, candidate for Court of Appeals Judge Tam Bui, candidate for Renton City Council Raman Mann, candidate for Issaquah School Board Chinmay Nagarkar, candidate for Northshore School Board Arun Sharma, and candidate for Kent City Council Andy Song.
The Green Earth Cup League and Tournament will be held on August 2 at Valley Ridge Fields in Tukwilla. Games will all take place in a single day, beginning at 7 a.m. through early evening (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.), and utilize all four fields.
The event will also be family-friendly, offering several attractions for kids including face painting, photo booth, cotton candy machines, and a playground.
Several food trucks, representing a diverse pool of ethnic cuisines, vendor booths, and barbecues will all be representing their countries’ cultures.
The event will also feature celebrity athletes such as Ji So-Yun, with the Seattle Reign FC, and Kim Kee-hee with the Seattle Sounders for meet-and-greet and autographing opportunities.
Greater Seattle Korean Association President Kim expects there to be up to 500 attendees, in-and-out throughout the day.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
