Suncheon Expo to celebrate ‘North Korean Refugees’ Day’

SUNCHEON, South Korea – “A variety of festive activities will take place at the Suncheon Bay Garden expo on Sunday to celebrate ‘North Korean Refugees’ Day’,” its organizing committee said.

Ranging from dance performances by North Korean defector artists and flying of inter-Korean peace wishing balloons to a singing contest, the event aims to provide South Korean visitors with opportunities to mingle with and develop better understanding of North Korean defectors living in the South.

“Some 1,000 North Korean refugees living in South Korea’s southwestern provinces near Suncheon city, where the expo is being held, have been invited to attend the event,” the committee said.

“This event, which hopes to foster mutual understanding between North and South Koreans, will have an added significance as it takes place among the picturesque gardens of the Suncheon garden expo,” said a committee official.

Since opening in mid-April, the International Garden Exposition Suncheon Bay Korea 2013 has entertained visitors with a wide range of cultural events, exhibitions and performances on top of offering scenic views of exotic gardens and wetlands.

The expo showcases 83 different types of gardens as well as expansive wetlands and paths, stretched across 1.11 million square meters.

It has attracted over 1.7 million visitors so far, well on track to reach its 4 million visitor target by its closing date on Oct. 20.