On February 11 (Tuesday) and 12 (Wednesday), Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), YU In Chon, visited key cultural and tourism sites in Gwangju and Sejong. In Gwangju, the Minister discussed strategies to revitalize the tourism industry, which has been stagnant following the Jeju Air crash, and conducted a safety inspection of the restoration work of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office. The Minister then travelled to Sejong to listen to stakeholder opinions on the Korean Culture City and “Local 100” projects.

Meetings with local residents supporting the restoration of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office and the travel industry in Gwangju and Jeonnam Province (Feb. 11)

At 3:30 PM on February 11, the Minister visited the joint memorial altar, on the first floor of the Jeonil Building, to pay respect to the victims of the Jeju Air crash before he meets with local residents supporting the restoration of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office in the fourth-floor conference room. During the meeting, the Minister expressed regret for the fire incident at the restoration site on January 4 and listen to the participants’ opinions on the restoration effort.

After these meetings, the Minister joined a meeting with those in the tourism industry from Gwangju and Jeonnam Province at the National Asia Culture Center’s conference room. The meeting was attended by about 30 individuals representing the local tourism industry, such as the heads of the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Korea Tourism Association (KTA), Gwangju Tourism Association, Jeollanamdo Tourism Association, representatives of local travel agencies, and the acting president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). During the meeting, the participants discussed existing support measures from MCST and Gwangju and Jeonnam Provincial Governments for the local tourism industry, future plans, and the KTO’s local tourism promotion strategies. They also shared suggestions from KATA and KTA for mutual growth with the local tourism industry, along with industry opinions and recommendations. Through these efforts, MCST aims to strengthen measures that provide practical support for the tourism industry, such as special fund loans and temporary assistance for liability insurance, while seeking multilateral cooperation to enhance the competitiveness of local tourism.

Visit to the restoration site of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office and safety inspection (Feb. 12)

At 9 AM on February 12, the Minister conducted a safety inspection of the restoration site of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office. He briefed on the progress of the restoration and the site’s safety management system and review accident prevention measures of six office buildings, including the police office where the fire accident occurred. The Minister emphasized the importance of vigilance in safety management, stressing that accidents often stem from negligence and carelessness.

MCST is currently overseeing the restoration of six buildings within the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office complex, aiming to restore them to their original appearance during the Gwangju Uprising on May 18, 1980. Following the fire accident on the third floor of the police office building on January 4, MCST has appointed a fire safety manager for the site and improved year-round monitoring to prevent future recurrence. Currently, experts from an external organization are conducting a safety inspection of the building damaged by fire, while restoration work on the other five buildings continues as scheduled. MCST is committed to the successful restoration of the buildings to globally promote the noble cause of the Gwangju Uprising and honor Gwangju citizens’ aspirations for democracy.

Attendance at exhibitions, including the one by KIM A Young, the inaugural winner of the ACC Future Prize (Feb. 12)

The Minister also visited the National Asia Culture Center (ACC) to attend the exhibition “Delivery Dancer’s Arc: Inverse” by KIM A Young, the winner of the ACC Future Prize 2024, and the special exhibition (ACC Focus) titled “Koo Bohnchang: The Look of Things”. KIM is the inaugural winner of the ACC Future Prize, an art award established by ACC to unearth creative artists who explore innovative future values and possibilities through convergence and interdisciplinary arts.

“Delivery Dancer’s Arc: Inverse”, on display until February 16, is a large-scale media and spatial exhibition featuring three 11-meter screens to display works created using game engine-based computer graphics and generative artificial intelligence. The exhibition has garnered significant attention from the audience and is attracting visits from domestic and global art figures. Given the high acclaim and recognition for the first winner within domestic and global art circles, the award is expected to help elevate ACC’s status. The second winner of the ACC Future Prize will be announced in 2026.

Since late 2024, ACC has been presenting special exhibitions (ACC Focus) to introduce world-renowned Asian contemporary artists who have re-shaped human culture and art. The inaugural special exhibition features KOO Bohn Chang, a pioneer of Korean contemporary photography. The exhibition presents the artist’s major object series that highlights Korean characteristics and Asian sentiment. The exhibition takes place in Spaces 3 and 4 and will run through March 30.

Visit to the Korean Culture City and Local 100 project sites to discuss strategies for successful project implementation (Feb. 12)

The Minister then travelled to Sejong to visit the Korean Culture City project site and Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge, one of MCST’s Local 100 projects. In late 2024, Sejong was designated as a Korean Culture City under the theme of Hangeul, and since then, the city has been pursuing the ‘Hangeul Culture City’ project in earnest, establishing the Hangeul Culture City Center at the Sejong Culture and Tourism Foundation. The Minister visited the project site in Jochiwon, Sejong, to review plans for the establishment of Hangeul Culture City and discuss strategies for successful implementation of the project.

Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge, selected as one of the Local 100 projects, is the longest pedestrian bridge in Korea, connecting the central green space on the north side of the Geum River with the southern waterfront park. The bridge stretches 1,446 meters, symbolizing the year 1446 when King Sejong the Great proclaimed Hangeul. Its circular shape has earned it the nickname ‘Ieung Bridge’. The bridge is built in a two-story structure, with a pedestrian path on the upper floor and a bicycle path on the lower floor. Thanks to an observatory and nighttime lighting, the bridge has become a unique landmark visited by over 1 million locals and tourists annually.