Governor Kim Wan-joo gestures as he talks about a joint project between North Jeolla Province and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote the province’s rich artistic tradition.
/ Courtesy of North Jeolla Province |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
North Jeolla Province, or Jeonbuk, is seeking to share its rich artistic tradition with the world through joint promotional projects with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Recently, Jeonbuk signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ministry, launching a series of initiatives to globalize traditional ``hansik'' (Korean cuisine), ``hanbok'' (dress), ``hanok'' (housing), ``hanji'' (paper), and ``pansori'' (narrative songs).
On the occasion of the signing of the MOU, Governor Kim Wan-joo spoke to The Korea Times about what makes Jeonbuk the ultimate destination for anyone seeking to explore the essence of traditional Korean assets.
Village of the Arts
Koreans have long referred to the southwestern province as the ``village of the arts.'' For foreign visitors, the province is known to be the most ``Korean'' of tourist spots.
Such a distinction, according to the governor, is the result of a combination of factors inherent to the region ― first, its historical status as the birthplace of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
The Yi royal family originated from Jeonju, a center of the province for centuries. It is still the administrative and cultural hub of North Jeolla and houses the Jeonbuk provincial administration.
Kim previously served as mayor of Jeonju from 1998 to 2006.
``The 600-year-old Joseon Kingdom left behind a profound legacy in Korean arts and craftsmanship still found in modern Korea, particularly in our province,'' said Governor Kim.
``We are home to the best of Korean or Han tradition in food, music and architecture, among others.'' he said.
North Jeolla houses extensive museums and temples as well as villages devoted to traditional Korean-style housing.
Secondly, Jeonbuk's long history as the country's main granary has led to a rich culinary culture, as found in the example of Jeonju ``bibimbap'' or rice mixed with vegetables. It has been gaining recognition worldwide as a signature Korean dish.
Jeonbuk is also the future home to the 2013 Muju Taekwondo Park, a global sports complex dedicated to one of the most popular martial art in the world with 70 million practitioners in more than 180 countries.
In light of taekwondo's global popularity, some have maintained that the true impetus for ``hallyu'' (Korean wave), or the surge of popularity of Korean culture around the world, was provided by the discipline.
Jeonbuk Crafts in Overseas Missions
Based on the MOU signed between the province and the foreign ministry, some 300 Korean diplomatic missions abroad will be decorated with ``hanji,'' or traditional Korean wallpaper from Jeonbuk.
``We needed this MOU because of the increasing need for central-local government cooperation in maximizing the regional as well as national profits,'' Governor Kim said.
``The MOU is based on our common understanding that globalizing the tradition of Jeobuk translates to renewing Korea's overall image as a cultural powerhouse,'' he said.
The ministry will also employ hansik experts from the province at some of the missions and support visits by overseas Korean people to traditional villages in Jeonbuk.
Engagement With Foreign Ministry
Jeonbuk's recent engagement with the foreign ministry in globalizing such traditional assets is reflective of the province's prior concern in making itself known to the outside world as its emblematic Saemangeum reclamation project gains momentum.
The colossal undertaking is expected to transform the province into one of Asia's premier business and tourism centers by 2020.
``On the basis of our traditional assets, Jeonbuk is aiming to become a new industrial and cultural hub of Northeast Asia. We have completed the world's largest seawall and are building a free economic zone in Saemangeum-Gunsan area," the governor said.
The reclamation will ultimately give Korea an additional 401 square kilometers of land, equal to two-thirds of the total area of Seoul. The centerpiece of the project is the Saemangeum Seawall, a 33-kilometer barrage in the West Sea.
Jeonbuk has been seeking active publicity of its future identity at home and abroad.
In recognition of the immense cultural and economic value of Jeonbuk, the foreign ministry decided to support the province's promotional efforts.
Foreign Investors Eyeing Saemangeum
Jeonbuk is hoping to make use of the ministry's international networks in disseminating its traditional values as well as publicizing the merits of doing business in the reclaimed Saemanguem area, the biggest landfill project in the world.
``We are on board with Jeonbuk's ambition to become the Dubai of Asia through the Saemanguem project. Through implementing the MOU, we hope to contribute to Jeonbuk's competitiveness,'' Second Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo said.
Ultimately, the Saemangeum project is geared toward establishing an industrial complex, tourism and leisure facilities and finally, research, education, and residential areas.
Foreign investment in the Saemangeum area has been gaining pace, as seen in the recent announcement by U.S. developer Federal Development to build a multi-tourism complex by 2015 in Jeonbuk's signature island of Gogunsan.
The U.S.-based international real estate development and asset management company is planning to invest over 920 billion won, or about $730 million.
``There is a misleading perception in some parts of the country that Saemangeum reclamation only benefits our province. However, the people of Jeonbuk commonly harbor an ardent wish to see Saemanguem contribute to the nation's growth,'' the governor said.
Jeonbuk will try to host a large-scale international event to coincide with the 2020 completion of the Saemangeum development.
Administrative Support for Foreigners
All governors and mayors are increasingly concerning themselves with globalizing their region, but North Jeolla's efforts have been particularly prominent among local governments.
Jeonbuk has been most active in extending administrative support to the region's increasing foreign population. There are almost 20,000 foreigners living and working in the province.
``We are proud of running one of the most foreigner-friendly administrations in the country. We are the only local government to have a special department dealing with issues for multicultural families,'' Governor Kim said.
Starting next year, children of multicultural families will be exempt from tuition and other expenses in the region's elementary, middle and high schools.
Who Is Governor Kim Wan-joo?
Born in 1946 in Jeonju, Governor Kim Wan-joo of North Jeolla Province is a graduate of Seoul National University with a major in public administration. He entered public service in 1973 and served as mayor of Namwon and Jeonju in the 1990s. He was elected to his current post in the 2006 local elections and is widely expected to seek reelection next year.
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jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
