2010 will mark the start of `Visit Korea Year`, a project undertaken to display Korea`s wonders to the world. The event will get underway in Seoul, before heading to Daegu in 2011, and Yeosu in 2012.

Opening Ceremony

Fifty days prior to the event`s official opening, the D-50 Opening Ceremony will be held, attended by important figures from home and abroad, as well as crowds of friendly locals, all eager to celebrate Korean culture and the attractions of their city.

The inaugural lighting of the Seoul Lantern Festival will be a key part of the event, as will a celebratory performance of Hallyu entertainers, while various events will encourage citizens to participate in the festivities.

The Opening Ceremony has been designed to make citizens proud of their city, providing a foundation to make Seoul one of Asia`s top five tourist cities. We`re proud to offer free tickets to the first 100 applicants - see below for details.

SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2009

Following the opening ceremony, a five-day-long Lantern Festival will be held along Cheonggyecheon, a pleasant city-centre stream. Continuing a legacy that began six centuries ago in the Joseon Dynasty, beautiful lanterns will sail down the stream each afternoon, enabling visitors to experience Seoul`s past, present and future at the same time.

The themes to be presented are `Wollyu`, looking back at Seoul`s traditional culture; `Hallyu`, expressing the present city and its Hallyu culture; and `Illyu`, depicting Seoul`s future design.

Korea Shaking in 2010

The global community will be heading toward Seoul in the year 2010. In addition to the Lantern Festival, this year will feature the Seoul Design Olympics, the Hi Seoul Festival, the Seoul Beauty Festival, and much more besides.

○ 2010 Visit Korea Year - With Seoul Opening Ceremony

․Date: November 11, 2009 (Wednesday)

․Venue: Cheonggye Open Space

○ SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2009

․Date: November 11 - 15

․Venue: Cheonggyecheon

Contact Number: 82-2-3788-0882

Homepage: www.visitseoul.net