Boseong County and Malaysia's Sabah Join Hands to Globalize Local Festivals

Opening a New Chapter in International Cultural and Tourism Exchange

Boseong County in South Jeolla Province announced on June 2 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah of the Sabah State Government in Malaysia on May 30 for mutual cooperation in the field of cultural tourism and the joint global promotion of local festivals, officially launching efforts to build an international festival network.

This agreement was a follow-up measure to the official visit to the 48th Boseong Dahyang Festival earlier last month by the Sabah State Government, the Sabah Tourism Board, and a traditional arts performance troupe. It aims to lay the foundation for the joint growth of the cultural tourism industries in both regions through mutual participation in each region’s representative festivals?namely, the Boseong Dahyang Festival and Sabah's Kaamatan Festival?as well as through content exchange, joint promotion, and practical cooperation.

Boseong County signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on May 30 with the Sabah State Government of Malaysia for mutual cooperation in the field of cultural tourism and the joint global promotion of local festivals, and has begun building an international festival network. Provided by Boseong County

The county is evaluating this MOU and festival exchange as a strategic platform that goes beyond inter-governmental cooperation to internationalize local festival content. It anticipates various synergistic effects, including the development of content that combines the unique cultural resources of both regions, diversification of overseas tourism markets, and an increase in the attraction of global tourists.

The cultural performance exchange event held alongside the signing ceremony provided a meaningful opportunity for both sides to share their traditional cultures and to enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

In particular, the Boseong County Korean Traditional Music Orchestra gave a traditional Korean music performance featuring instruments such as the Janggu and Gayageum, leaving a strong impression on local audiences at the Kaamatan Festival. Through the Boseong County promotional booth, the county actively promoted its tourism content and offered hands-on programs featuring traditional Korean items, further showcasing the appeal of Boseong.

Seo Hyungbin, Deputy Governor of Boseong County, stated, "This agreement will serve as an important milestone for Boseong County to become a global tourism city, based on its cultural assets and natural resources. We will do our utmost to ensure that this becomes a foundation for Boseong’s growth as an international cultural city, enhances local residents’ pride, improves quality of life, and contributes to revitalizing the local economy."

Mary Isidore Malangking, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, said, "Cooperation with Boseong County holds significant meaning in Sabah's international tourism strategy, and this exchange will serve as an opportunity to strengthen cultural diplomacy between the two regions."

Meanwhile, the county plans to use this exchange not as a one-off event, but as a starting point for establishing a sustainable system of cultural and tourism cooperation between Boseong County and Sabah. It also aims to use this as an important foundation to demonstrate the competitiveness of Boseong’s local festivals and to foster its growth as a cultural city.