Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park Hosts Korea-Japan Youth International Exchange Experience

Sharing Peace and Coexistence Through Historical and Cultural Exploration

Jungnang District in Seoul (District Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi) announced on August 5 that it had conducted a historical and cultural exploration program for the 'Korea-Japan Youth International Exchange Group' at Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park on August 3.

Participants of the Korea-Japan Youth International Exchange Program taking a group photo at Jungnang Mangu Space. Provided by Jungnang-gu.

This event was organized as part of the youth international exchange project between Chungcheongbuk-do and Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. Participants toured Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park, where figures representing Korea's modern and contemporary history are buried, and spent meaningful time understanding and sharing each country's history and culture.

Approximately 70 Korean and Japanese youths participated in the program that day. The participating students began the tour by appreciating the park's beautiful natural scenery and then visited 'Jungnang Mangwoo Space' to view sculptures by Kwon Jinkyu, an artist representing modern and contemporary Korean sculpture. Next, they toured the gravesites of significant figures, including Ji Seokyoung, a modern medical scholar who led the introduction of the smallpox vaccination, and Asakawa Takumi, a Japanese botanist known for his contributions to forest restoration and research on folk crafts. By following in the footsteps of those who dedicated themselves to scholarship, art, and nature, participants deepened their understanding of each other's cultures and reflected on the meaning of friendship and peace between Korea and Japan.

Jungnang District plans to continue expanding various historical and cultural content, such as experiential history education for youth and exploration programs led by Jungnang cultural interpreters, to widely promote the historical significance of Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park.

Ryu Gyeonggi, Mayor of Jungnang District, stated, "Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park is a representative historical and cultural education site in northeastern Seoul," and added, "I hope this visit will be a meaningful opportunity for young people to understand each other's history and culture and to share the values of friendship, peace, and future cooperation between Korea and Japan."