Visiting Korea
A Report: 2005 Chinese Youth Invitation
Partners for greener tomorrow-
During 2005 July 6th to July 15th, 192 individuals were invited to various parts of Korea (Seoul, Incheon, Geongju, Gwanju, Busan and Jeju) under the title of ‘Chinese Youth Invitation’ and theme ‘Structuring the network of Korea- China future leaders”. This was sponsored by the Korea Youth Association and supervised by Korea- China Youth Culture Center ‘Future Forest’. The sponsors aimed to aid in the construction of Korea-China mutual and developmental colleagueship and sustainable relationships. Second was to structure a co-operation network by inviting Chinese youths to various Korean governmental authorities. Lastly, through various subject-specialized programs such as Korean economy, political administration, education/science, international issues, culture and environment, the association seek to work in close co-operation between youth of Korea and China.
Various programs were prepared to make this event a success. Starting with a banquet at Incheon, the visitors from China met Incheon and Korea University students and Green Corps of Future Forest. They also had the opportunity to meet prestigious Korean social authorities such as present congressmen in the Blue House, National Assembly building and Hankook Ilbo building. Along with numerous seminars, they also had the chance to glimpse on everyday Korean life through a home stay program. Last but not least, the visitors from China not only visited hotspots of Korean IT/Technology industry such as Samsung Electronics, Kwangyang Steel Mills, POSCO, SK and trade ports, historic locations such as Bulguk temple, Seokgul grotto(both an UNESCO world Heritage) and Incheon World-Cup Stadium, but also experienced traditional Korean cultures- such as learning to speak/sing in Korean, watching Korean films, experiencing the Korean marine camp, traditional dyeing techniques and taking turns on the pottery wheel.
The event was a huge success, as shown in the feed back questionnaire. In the course of 10 sectors that asked the satisfactory level of the overall program within 90% answered positive, and 60% very pleased. To the hosts, it was also an economic success as they were able to cut down the budget considerably by various outer sponsorships. Also, it is plausible that the event was covered favorably by prestigious press, in both Korea and China. In the negative side, there were several absences from the visitors thus certain procedures had to be adjusted. Additionally, in the cultural experience programs, some events had rather similar contexts which could weaken the sensation. Most importantly, due to lack of appropriate infra-structure, continued post-event exchanges is anticipated to be difficult.
