ID :
61494
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/61494
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean island smartens up ahead of ASEAN summit
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Jeju Island is sprucing itself up, ready to greet visitors with various cultural events and programs ahead of the summit between President Lee Myung-bak and the leaders of Southeast Asian countries, the local government said Wednesday.
South Korea is set to host a series of summits and ministerial meetings among
leaders of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the country's
resort island of Jeju on June 1-2.
Jeju, a volcanic island dominated by South Korea's highest mountain Halla, has
been preparing thoroughly for the upcoming Korea-ASEAN summit, aiming to boost
tourist recognition.
With a humid subtropical climate warmer than that of mainland Korea, Jeju has
developed a culture and language that are distinct from the rest of the country
due to the relatively isolated location. Home to thousands of local legends and
myths, Jeju is considered a top vacation spot.
"We expect at least 20,000 people to flock to the island during the summit," said
Park Hong-bae, head of the preparation committee of the upcoming event. "This
will be one of the largest events the island has hosted."
Ready to greet government officials and business people from 10 different ASEAN
nations, the Jeju autonomous government has this week finished refurbishing the
International Convention Center, the venue of the leaders' meeting.
Jeju has also set up flowerbeds and symbols of each participating country
alongside the street, named the "ASEAN Road," leading to the convention center.
Designating May 24 through June 2 as "ASEAN Week," the local government and
Seoul's culture and foreign ministries have also prepared a round of traditional
fashion shows, plays and photo exhibitions.
Jeju will be hosting the World Culture and Travel EXPO, participated in by some
40 countries from May 29 through June 1. Countries including Indonesia, Thailand
and Malaysia will be introducing their culture, traditional customs and cuisines
during the event.
A fashion show featuring traditional Korean costume, or Hanbok, will be held
during the EXPO.
The Deoksuri Culture Preservation Society, an organization of traditional
performers in Jeju, will hold a separate festival from May 31 through June 2 near
the Jeju Art Park, featuring various plays and games generated from the region.
The fest will showcase pungmulnori, a traditional rural folk musical performance
designated as Korea's intangible cultural property, and will provide visitors
with chances to experience fabric dyeing, rice cake-making and donkey-riding.
Under the title "Oh, Beautiful Jeju," the local government will operate special
tour programs featuring 11 different courses spanning Jeju's key tourist spots
including water valleys, hills and caves.
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of South Korea becoming ASEAN's dialogue
partner, participating countries have created a Korea-ASEAN music orchestra,
which will hold its first concert in Jeju on May 31 and the second in Seoul on
June 4.
It is the first orchestra featuring 79 different instruments from 52 different
Asian countries. The 80-member orchestra will play 12 songs during each concert.
The Jeju government will also hold four photo exhibitions at the International
Convention Center, the Jeju airport and the World Cup stadium, showcasing the
island's landscapes and people's everyday lives.
The island has also prepared strong safety measures, under which 5,500 policemen
and guards will be dispatched. About 200 volunteer workers have been selected to
usher visitors and help with translation.
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Jeju Island is sprucing itself up, ready to greet visitors with various cultural events and programs ahead of the summit between President Lee Myung-bak and the leaders of Southeast Asian countries, the local government said Wednesday.
South Korea is set to host a series of summits and ministerial meetings among
leaders of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the country's
resort island of Jeju on June 1-2.
Jeju, a volcanic island dominated by South Korea's highest mountain Halla, has
been preparing thoroughly for the upcoming Korea-ASEAN summit, aiming to boost
tourist recognition.
With a humid subtropical climate warmer than that of mainland Korea, Jeju has
developed a culture and language that are distinct from the rest of the country
due to the relatively isolated location. Home to thousands of local legends and
myths, Jeju is considered a top vacation spot.
"We expect at least 20,000 people to flock to the island during the summit," said
Park Hong-bae, head of the preparation committee of the upcoming event. "This
will be one of the largest events the island has hosted."
Ready to greet government officials and business people from 10 different ASEAN
nations, the Jeju autonomous government has this week finished refurbishing the
International Convention Center, the venue of the leaders' meeting.
Jeju has also set up flowerbeds and symbols of each participating country
alongside the street, named the "ASEAN Road," leading to the convention center.
Designating May 24 through June 2 as "ASEAN Week," the local government and
Seoul's culture and foreign ministries have also prepared a round of traditional
fashion shows, plays and photo exhibitions.
Jeju will be hosting the World Culture and Travel EXPO, participated in by some
40 countries from May 29 through June 1. Countries including Indonesia, Thailand
and Malaysia will be introducing their culture, traditional customs and cuisines
during the event.
A fashion show featuring traditional Korean costume, or Hanbok, will be held
during the EXPO.
The Deoksuri Culture Preservation Society, an organization of traditional
performers in Jeju, will hold a separate festival from May 31 through June 2 near
the Jeju Art Park, featuring various plays and games generated from the region.
The fest will showcase pungmulnori, a traditional rural folk musical performance
designated as Korea's intangible cultural property, and will provide visitors
with chances to experience fabric dyeing, rice cake-making and donkey-riding.
Under the title "Oh, Beautiful Jeju," the local government will operate special
tour programs featuring 11 different courses spanning Jeju's key tourist spots
including water valleys, hills and caves.
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of South Korea becoming ASEAN's dialogue
partner, participating countries have created a Korea-ASEAN music orchestra,
which will hold its first concert in Jeju on May 31 and the second in Seoul on
June 4.
It is the first orchestra featuring 79 different instruments from 52 different
Asian countries. The 80-member orchestra will play 12 songs during each concert.
The Jeju government will also hold four photo exhibitions at the International
Convention Center, the Jeju airport and the World Cup stadium, showcasing the
island's landscapes and people's everyday lives.
The island has also prepared strong safety measures, under which 5,500 policemen
and guards will be dispatched. About 200 volunteer workers have been selected to
usher visitors and help with translation.
