Turkey's largest city of Istanbul will be the center stage for various Korean cultural events during this year's Istanbul-Gyeongju World Culture Expo.
Our cultural correspondent Park Ji-won tells us more about a promotional event held in Seoul on Friday. The 2013 Istanbul-Gyeongju World Culture Expo kicks off in three weeks in Turkey's largest city with the theme of "Road, Encounter and Companion."
Some 50 countries will join the event, celebrating cultural exchange.
This year's event in Istanbul is an extension of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo, which began in 1998 and has been held six times since then.
The event in Istanbul will be the largest ever and represents only the second time the event has been held outside of Korea, following an event in Cambodia in 2006.
And on Friday, there was a parade alongside the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul. to promote the festivities.
"Istanbul is a unique city which had been a capital for three empires. I know that Gyeongju city had been a capital for Shilla Dynasty for a thousand of years. So both cities are very important in historical and cultural wise."
"In line with the incumbent Park Geun-hye administration's focus on cultural enrichment, the North Gyeongsang Province Tourism Corporation hopes to promote the event so that many people can participate."
"The expo will begin at the end of August and run through September 22nd at venues in Istanbul. The event features K-pop showcases, Korean film screenings and more.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News."
