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Broader popularity sought for "Hallyu"(Korean Wave)
As part of a goal to better acquaint APEC participants with Korean culture, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has arranged a fascinating program of cultural events, from the display of caricatures of APEC leaders to traditional cultural performances.
In the midst of this, a festive mood has already emerged in the city of Busan, the host city of the APEC 2005 summit, where over 40 cultural events are planned in a panoramic sequence.
A special arrangement had already been made during the annual international film festival held in the city on October 6-14. Films from APEC member nations were presented to moviegoers to provide them with invaluable opportunities to experience diverse visual arts from APEC member nations.
In addition to this, the National Dance Company of Korea staged 'Korean Fantasy' on October 8-9, while a traditional Korean music performance, entitled 'Kukak Concert', will be featured by the National Orchestra Company on November 15-16. Along with these, 'Jongmyo Jeryeak', the royal ancestral ritual music proclaimed by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, will be re-enacted on November 19 by the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts.
"Korean wave" to be highlighted during APEC week
These performances, being held during the period from October 8 to November 19 at the Busan Citizens' Hall and the Busan Cultural Center, are anticipated to highlight not only the summit itself but also cultural aspects of Korea with 'hanryu', the current fad for all things South Korean, prevalent in Asia.
"We have high expectations," said Mr. Chung Dong-chae, minister of culture and tourism, "that these performances will display the quintessence of Korean culture."
"At the same time, the display of multimedia cultural contents as well as cooking demonstrations of traditional Korean foods at BEXCO will show the flavor and taste of Korean traditions and reveal the real embodiment of 'hanryu'," the minister added.
By taking advantage of these events, Minister Chung said that the ministry plans to introduce 'hanryu', which has so far been centered around China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries, to the dignitaries from Central and South American countries and other APEC member nations. Through such efforts, he said that a firm national image of Korea rich in culture and tourist attractions can be built.
In line with this aim, the ministry plans to publish various printed materials and operate show rooms to illustrate the Korean culture boom ever-growing in Asian countries.
In addition, the ministry plans to operate a 'cultural contents mall' at an APEC-related IT exhibition to be held on November 15-21. There, visitors will be able to enjoy not only displays but also take part in IT-supported cultural contents. These displays, which include games, animations and cartoons, will be unveiled through various high-tech devices such as large sized PDPs and interactive 'Reactrix' systems, the ministry said.
Regional networks should boost tourism
"I believe the APEC summit is a good opportunity for us to show Korea's fullfledged development not only to the Asia- Pacific region but also to other regions around the world. However, it remains a pressing task for us to develop specialized tourist attractions and quality products with new ideas," Minister Chung noted. "For some time," the minister explained, "many plans have been devised to invigorate the tourism industry in Korea. In spite of this, however, there are many projects that did not make much progress as had previously been intended - due to various reasons, like difficulties in attracting private investment. With this in mind, we will continue to take steps to complement any inadequacies in planning and institutional arrangements so that development projects can make substantial progress."
Noting that regional governments and local residents are the ones who should take the initiative to promote the tourism industry in Korea in the future, Minister Chung added that the ministry plans to link them in a network and institutionalize the participation of local residents, and provide them with necessary expertise and technologies for the purpose of developing and promoting tourism-related items that reflect regional characteristics."