Rija Park

Ms. Rija Park passed away peacefully on the morning of March 26, 2025, in the Upper West Side of New York City.

She is survived by her nephew, Seong Yoon; his wife, Kyung Sook; and her grandnephews, Yong-Bum and Patrick Kim.

Born in Japan, Rija completed her early education there and became fluent in Japanese, often enjoying Japanese newspapers and literature. She later attended high school and college at Ewha Womans University in Korea. After surviving the Korean War, she immigrated to the United States in 1961.

A true pioneer, Rija founded one of the first travel agencies in Korea and even made appearances in early Korean films. Later in her career, she dedicated herself to mentoring Korean students—helping many gain admission to prestigious American universities and thrive in their chosen careers.

Rija embodied the loving and generous spirit of a first-generation Korean American. She deeply cherished her family, friends, and pets—both cats and dogs. Known as a stylish and compassionate New Yorker, she touched countless lives with her warmth, wisdom, and grace.

We will celebrate her extraordinary life on Sunday, March 30, at 1:30 PM at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W 76th St, New York, NY 10023.