First Visit to Geumsan in 10 Years Since Signing the Friendship Exchange Agreement
Geumsan County is strengthening the competitiveness of the ginseng industry through cultural exchanges and joint marketing with overseas cities in connection with the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival.
To attend the 43rd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival, a delegation from Padawan City, Sarawak State, Malaysia, paid an official visit to Geumsan County from September 16 to 20, staying for five days.
This visit marks the first official delegation in ten years since the friendship exchange agreement was signed between Geumsan County and Padawan City in 2015, reaffirming both cities' commitment to exchange and cooperation.
Geumsan County introduced the delegation to industrial sites related to Geumsan ginseng and explained the characteristics of the local economy, culture, and education sectors.
The Padawan City delegation, led by Tan Kai, Chairperson of the Padawan City Council, visited Geumsan County Office and the County Council, toured major local facilities, and experienced Geumsan's administrative operations and cultural assets.
They also visited key tourist attractions in Geumsan, including the Geumsan Ginseng Medicine Market, ginseng tourism sites, and Boseoksa Temple, confirming the county's appeal and gaining a deeper understanding of the region's unique blend of tradition and modernity.
On September 19, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 43rd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival at the Geumsan World Ginseng Expo Plaza, adding significance to the event and experiencing exhibitions, hands-on programs, and cultural performances centered on ginseng.
The Geumsan World Ginseng Festival is a major regional event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from Korea and abroad every year, serving as a platform to promote the benefits of ginseng and Geumsan's traditions to the world.
Chairperson Tan Kai stated, "Through this visit, we have identified possibilities for cooperation in various fields, including the ginseng industry. We look forward to continuing close cooperation with Geumsan County in diverse areas such as culture and education, as well as ginseng."
Park Beomin, Governor of Geumsan County, emphasized, "International exchange should not be limited to simple visits, but should provide opportunities for both cities to understand and cooperate with each other. The visit by the Padawan City delegation will help promote Geumsan's traditional industries, culture, and regional development model, and contribute to establishing a sustainable foundation for ongoing exchange."
Meanwhile, Geumsan County is working to expand exchanges with domestic and international cities through the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival and is pursuing strategies to globalize Geumsan ginseng based on these efforts.
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