Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu: "Prioritizing Safety in Preparing for Hadong World Tea Expo"

Organizing Committee Midterm Report Meeting and On-site Inspection

Gyeongnam Province is intensifying preparations for the 2023 Hadong World Tea Expo, which is approaching next month.

The Hadong World Tea Expo Organizing Committee, co-chaired by Governor Park Wan-su and Hadong County Governor Ha Seung-cheol, held a mid-term on-site briefing session for the expo on the 7th and conducted an on-site inspection.

According to Gyeongnam Province, about 40 people attended the briefing, including Governor Park, Governor Ha, Secretary-General Park Ok-soon, General Director Jeon In-geun, officials from Hadong County Office, and organizing committee staff.

The session proceeded with reports on the progress, facilities, and exhibition hall installation status, followed by additional explanations and a Q&A session.

This briefing was conducted while moving from the first venue, Hadong Sports Park, to the second venue in Hwagae-myeon.

The organizing committee sequentially reported on five exhibition halls, including the Theme Hall, the World Tea Experience Zone, and the Healing Zone.

The construction consortium, Sigung Tech, presented detailed installation status, including a bird’s-eye view of the entire venue and interior designs of the exhibition halls.

The consortium stated, “We will do our best to complete the preparations well during the remaining period so that visitors to the expo can fully enjoy healing and relaxation.”

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (second from the left), is touring the exhibition hall of the 2023 Hadong World Tea Expo.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

Governor Park said, “This expo will blend tea culture and industry from various countries around the world, providing visitors with diverse sights and experiences,” and urged, “Please make special efforts to promote the event using various media, from shuttle bus operations to K-pop performances.”

He added, “I hope sufficient spaces will be prepared where visitors can directly experience Hadong tea and relax, and that the preparations will prioritize the safety of tourists until the very end.”

After the briefing, Governor Park visited Dongcheon Co., Ltd., a green tea processing plant in Hadong, toured the processing facilities producing premium tea, tea bags, and powdered green tea raw materials, and checked the status of the business site.

Officials from the 2023 Hadong World Tea Expo Organizing Committee and related parties are taking a commemorative photo in front of the Hadong Wild Tea Museum.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The 2023 Hadong World Tea Expo, held from May 4 to June 3, is the first international event in the tea field to receive government approval.

Co-hosted by Gyeongnam Province and Hadong County and organized by the Hadong World Tea Expo Organizing Committee, the expo will be held for 31 days at Hadong Sports Park and the Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival site.

The expo will operate five exhibition halls: ▲‘Tea Millennium Hall,’ introducing the history and excellence of Hadong wild tea ▲‘Theme Video Hall,’ expressing the nature of Jirisan and Hadong wild tea through media art ▲‘Wellness Hall,’ introducing the medicinal effects of green tea and providing healing for body and mind ▲‘World Tea Art Hall,’ where visitors can view the history, culture, and artworks of tea by country and era ▲and ‘Industry Convergence Hall,’ related to the tea industry.

The organizing committee plans to offer visitors over 100 programs and various experiential events during the expo, including tea ceremonies, performances, and events.

An organizing committee official said, “We aim to let visitors directly feel the value and benefits of tea and connect them with the beautiful tourist attractions of Hadong and Gyeongnam,” adding, “We are preparing to ensure a successful expo through tourism revitalization.”