Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province is expanding its historical ties with Japanese sister cities through practical international exchanges focused on youth and civilian participation. The initiative aims to develop the friendly relations established along the path of Dr. Wangin, a symbol of ancient Korea-Japan cultural exchange, into future collaborations in cultural arts and economic cooperation.
From October 31 to November 4, Yeongam County officials visited Osaka, Hirakata City, and Kanzaki City to participate in cultural events related to Dr. Wangin and discuss ways to enhance local exchanges.
Dr. Wangin is known for crossing the sea from Yeongam to Japan, bringing scholarly works such as the Cheonja-mun and the Analects. He is celebrated in Japan for his contributions to the development of ancient culture, with his tomb, Wangin-chong, and Baekje Temple Site located in Hirakata City.
This visit aimed to strengthen friendly relations between local governments based on the historical connection of Dr. Wangin and to broaden the scope of exchanges to include youth education and civilian cooperation.
The Yeongam delegation attended the Wasso Festival on November 1 at the Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka, reflecting on the history of cultural exchanges between ancient Korea and Japan. The Wasso Festival reenacts the arrival of figures who crossed from the Korean Peninsula to Osaka's ancient port of Namba, showcasing traditional attire and processions. The name 'Wasso' is believed to derive from the Korean phrase 'watso.'
Yeongam County hosts the Wangin Cultural Festival every April, which reenacts Dr. Wangin's departure from Yeongam for Japan through a procession called 'Wangin's Journey to Japan.' While Yeongam represents the departure, Osaka symbolizes the arrival of these historical figures, sharing the historical significance of ancient Korea-Japan cultural exchanges.
Following the festival, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Japan-Korea Friendship Association on November 2, and on November 3, they paid respects at the Wangin-chong in Hirakata City.
This year's 43rd memorial ceremony involved participants from the Japan-Korea Friendship Association, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka, local officials from Hirakata City, and organizations dedicated to preserving Dr. Wangin's legacy.
During the visit, Yeongam County officials emphasized the need to expand youth and civilian exchanges with representatives from Hirakata City and Kanzaki City, discussing potential collaborative projects in cultural arts and economic sectors.
Notably, the expansion of exchanges with Kanzaki City is significant. Yeongam County has maintained ties with Kanzaki City since 2008 and signed a friendship exchange agreement last year, promoting participation from schools and local residents.
This collaboration will lead to mutual visits by youth this month. From November 25 to 27, a delegation of 40, including 25 middle school students from Kanzaki City, will visit Yeongam to engage with local students.
Students from Kanzaki Middle School will participate in joint classes and activities at Yeongam Nangju Middle School, while students from Chiyoda Middle School will engage at Samho Seo Middle School.
The visiting delegation will tour HD Hyundai Samho and the Yeongam International Circuit, as well as visit historical and cultural sites such as the Wangin heritage site, Yeongam County Art Museum, and Yeongam Pottery Museum.
Yeongam County plans to expand the existing middle school exchanges to include high school collaborations between Yeongam Nangju High School and Kanzaki High School starting next year. This initiative aims to provide students with direct experiences of each other's educational environments and cultural lifestyles, establishing a foundation for ongoing exchanges.
Additionally, during their visit to Japan, Yeongam officials promoted the '2027-2028 Yeongam Visit Year' to local stakeholders, encouraging tourism exchanges.
Mayor Woo Seung-hee stated, "The culture and scholarship that Dr. Wangin brought from Yeongam to Japan continue to foster friendly exchanges between the two regions today. Starting next year, we will further broaden youth and civilian exchanges and achieve tangible results in cultural arts and economic sectors."
Meanwhile, Yeongam County continues to maintain cooperative relationships with Japanese sister cities based on the historical and cultural significance of Dr. Wangin, aiming to develop sustainable international exchange foundations through expanded youth exchanges and increased civilian participation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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