Host Busan rolls out a friendly red carpet for special summit
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BUSAN'S NURIMARU APEC House - built to accommodate the APEC summit meeting nine years ago - will again welcome top leaders to a summit meeting in December.
This year, Asean and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are celebrating the 25th year of their dialogue relations and will convene a Commemorative Summit in Busan.
Busan makes an ideal choice to hold the Asean - ROK meeting -- not only due to its strong record of hosting large scale international events and its excellent convention infrastructure, but also because of its mild weather and natural environment.
An official from the preparatory office of the Asean-ROK Commemorative Summit 2014 said: “We expect our Asean friends to experience a whole new impression of Korea by visiting this dynamic and attractive city during the Summit.”
The city also has continuing exchanges with six sister and friendship cities in Southeast Asia, including Bangkok.
It is expected that around 3,000 people including leaders, delegates, reporters, staff, and participants will attend the summit meeting.
A group of 30 media and officials from Asean member countries were invited to a familiarisation trip to Seoul and Busan in late August organised by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nurimaru and the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO) will be the main venues for the Summit held on December 11-12.
Nurimaru APEC House, where 21 heads of state from around the world once gathered to discuss pressing global issues, was considered the most beautiful among the meeting places during the APEC leaders' meeting in 2005.
It has been used as a memorial hall and a prestigious international conference hall as well as being open to the public since the APEC summit.
"Nurimaru APEC House" is the name of the centre where leaders gathered for their meeting. The design concept was based on the idea the leaders were brought together to a silvery island to embody a spirit of openness and cooperation, the guiding spirit of APEC.
Its exterior blends with the clean blue sea while its interior reflects Korea’s traditional culture and beauty, making Nurimaru a rising tourist attraction in Busan.
The preparatory office set up by the government of the ROK in April is working with the Busan Metropolitan government in various areas – including protocol, events, banquets, security, media arrangements and public relations to create the safest environment for all leaders and participants.
The protocol arrangements are still in progress, and the food served will capture the true taste of Korea, the official said. The exact dishes and national dresses are still being worked on.
Although traffic in Busan is congested the city will not be closed down, but rather welcomes all guests.
Busan is the second largest city in South Korea with a population of 3.6 million. Its major industries are logistics, shipping, film making and tourism and conventions. The city is also South Korea’s most famous marine leisure destination visited by over 2 million foreign tourists each year.
Tourist attractions include Haeundae beach, Taejongdae, the natural park with magnificent cliffs facing the open sea on the southernmost tip of island of Yeongdo-gu, and Yonggungsa |temple.
