Kim Taeheum: "2029 Great Baekje Exhibition Not Yet Decided... Review Focused on Gongju and Buyeo"

Drawing a Line on Foundation CEO's Remarks
"Will Make a Comprehensive Decision After Reviewing Research Results"

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province

As debates continue over whether Chungnam Province should expand the Baekje Cultural Festival into the "Great Baekje Exhibition" in 2029, Governor Kim Taeheum has drawn a clear line, stating, "Nothing has been decided yet."

At a press conference with journalists held at the Art Center Goma in Gongju City on September 3, Governor Kim said, "No decision has been made regarding the Great Baekje Exhibition in cooperation with other cities and counties, nor has the province officially reviewed it. We will comprehensively determine whether it is appropriate to hold the festival annually in Gongju and Buyeo, or whether it should be held as an international event every four years, after reviewing the results of a research study."

Previously, Lee Kijin, CEO of the Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation, held a press conference at the provincial government press center on August 12 and mentioned, "We are reviewing the possibility of holding the Great Baekje Exhibition in 2029." He also discussed potential cooperation with locations such as Gibolpo in Seocheon, Hwangsanbeol in Nonsan, Songpa in Seoul, and Iksan in North Jeolla Province, which prompted a sensitive response from the Gongju local community.

In response, Governor Kim clarified, "Those remarks may have been his personal opinion."

The province is currently conducting a research study, and based on its results, will make a final decision on how to hold the Baekje Cultural Festival in 2029 and whether to proceed with the Great Baekje Exhibition.