The Korea Center Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES—The Korea Center Los Angeles celebrated its West Coast Grand Opening Saturday, September 30, 2006.

Run by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the state-of-the-art facility will house the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO), and the Korea Culture and Content Agency (KOCCA) adjacent to the present Korean Cultural Center.

The Korea Tourism Organization was established by the Korean government in 1962 to promote Korea as a tourist destination. Initially the focus was to attract visitors from neighboring Asian countries. In 1974, KTO expanded to open the first North American office in Los Angeles. Branches followed in New York, Chicago and Toronto.

The primary focus of the Los Angeles branch is to interact with all members of the travel industry: airlines, tour operators, hotels, travel agents, meeting planners and the travel consumer. Media relations is another important KTO function in working to increase awareness of the many tourist attractions Korea has to offer. As the flagship branch, the LA office territory covers 13 western states, Mexico and Brazil.

In 2005, Korea welcomed over 6 million foreign tourists. The LA office has played a major role in establishing North America as the third largest market sending over 500,000 visitors.

The KTO will host seminars and events promoting the rich Korean culture, heritage, art, customs, history, and tourism opportunities to American society - with particular emphasis to the Los Angeles community. The 3200 sq foot exhibition hall will showcase Korea as a tourist destination. As state-of-the-art facilities, KTO is equipped with 22 video screens, touch screen kiosks, and computers linked to the KTO center's informative website, www.tour2korea.com . The KTO invites the public to join its Open House this coming November 2006.

"I am excited by the many new opportunities that this new facility will permit!" says Maureen O'Crowley, the KTO Marketing Manager, and continues "with the video screen capability and the touch screen kiosks, it will allow a hands on experience for those interested in travel to Korea. In essence, a visit to the new Korea Tourism will be just a first step—next stop, Korea!"

As a business development agency KOCCA USA is dedicated to promote Korean content companies in America. It is a part of KOCCA's global network, with regional offices including London, Tokyo, Beijing, and the Seoul headquarters. As a major business resource, KOCCA-USA provides market research on Korean and global markets, company directories and links, trade leads, up to date industry and market news, as well as year-round seminars and exhibitions.

KOCCA's Media Room, is equipped with the latest audio-visual screening equipment, touch screen kiosks, a reference library, Internet access, and an area for the display of Licensed Animation Characters, Comic, and Mobile Content.

The Media Room is designed to advance the Korean entertainment industry in the US, by providing a creative and compelling environment that nurtures business development. KOCCA brings Korea's rich cultural heritage to the entertainment capital of the world.

Dignitaries attending the celebration, included representatives of Belize, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.

Opening the Korea Center LA with welcoming remarks was Republic of Korea, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Myung-Gon Kim, who flew from Korea to attend this special inauguration. "The Korean Cultural Center—LA is now making more changes for the 21st Century; we live in this historical place. Los Angeles holds the diverse cultural society and it is the most significant place for Entertainments because of Hollywood" stated Minister Kim, and continued, "We will try to upgrade our services for the community. The Korea Center - LA will do whatever it takes to provide the community with a new art and cultural experience as well as a place of leisure for citizens of Los Angeles."

In addition, "now that the Korean Cultural Center, Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Culture and Content Agency are all together at the new Korea Center" states Minister Kim, "they will be able to work together on bigger and better projects to promote Korea as a tourism destination and Korean culture and arts to the public."

Ribbon cutting ceremony participants were: President Jae Min Chang (Korea Times), Director of KOCCA Byung-Moon Suh, General Byung Hyo Choi of the Korean Consulate, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Republic of Korea Minister of Culture and Tourism Myung Gon Kim, and Councilman, Tom LaBonge.

The Grand Opening day was filled with special events including the screenings of Korean contemporary films, cooking contests, traditional Korean food tasting, traditional Korean music and dance performances.

In addition, the public was invited to the Art Gallery exhibit of the Second Traditional Korean Folk Paintings attended by Kee Soon Sung, the President of Korean Folk Paintings Association, and a few artists including Keum-Ok Kim, and Sook-Hyun Lee.

Extraordinarily captivating was the performance by Ae-Ryun Jung the distinguished Korean soprano and music professor at Korea's Chonnam National University. In her special recital in honor of the new facility, she moved the audience by singing all time favorites in Korean, English, and French. The performance was followed by a two-time encore and a long standing ovation. Her piano accompanist, and faculty at Chonnam National University, Sang-Rog Lee, flawlessly performed his piano solo.

The Korea Center Los Angeles, located at 5509 Wilshire Boulevard, welcomes visitors to discover Korea and its over 5000 year history.

For more information go to: www.koreacenterla.org , www.koreacontent.org , www.tour2korea.com .