Korea and New Zealand Sign Arrangement for Cooperation on Audiovisual Industries

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2005-11-17 19:53

Seoul--(뉴스와이어)--At 5:30pm on November 18, 2005, Culture and Tourism Minister Chung Dong-chea and Korean Broadcasting Commission Chairman Noh Seong-dae are going to sign an Arrangement for bilateral cooperation in the audiovisual industries between Korea and New Zealand with H. E. Helen Clark Prime Minister and Minster for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand at the Grand Hotel (Chinese restaurant "Marlisung") in Busan.

The aforesaid ministries of the two countries have advanced relevant discussions, since signing an agreement for co-production of films was suggested in July 2003 by Prime Minister Helen Clark who was visiting Korea at that time.

The Arrangement is being signed this time in phase with the joint efforts for further enhancement of exchanges and friendly relations between those engaged in the audiovisual industry sectors in the two countries on the occasion of the New Zealand Prime Minister's participation in the APEC Leaders' Meeting to be held during this month in Busan.

The two countries have recently made brisk exchanges in the film sector, including the Korean Film Festival in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2004, New Zealand Film Festival 2005 held in five Korean cities, i.e. Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Jeonju on October 2005. Examples of extended bilateral cooperation include location of Korean films entitled Silmido and Antarctic Journal in New Zealand and the post-production works of a Korean film entitled Host in collaboration with Weta Workshop co. of New Zealand to open to the public in 2006.

The Arrangement to be signed this time is expected to truly invigorate the bilateral exchanges and collaboration in the audiovisual sector and contribute to the development of the industry in both countries through the combination of Korea's creativity and ample experience in film production, and New Zealand's amazing natural beauty and computer graphic technology.

Starting from 16:00, Minister Chung will visit the Korean Court Food Exhibition, Game Infinity Room, and the Korean Cultural Center displayed on the 1st floor of BEXCO, before the signing ceremony.

At 30㎡ in scale, the Korean Court Food Exhibition aims to promote the diversity and superiority of Korean food by introducing traditional Korean food to participants of AELM Week The exhibition will feature various events including a cooking demonstration and tasting of Korean Court Food, an exhibition of special cuisines shown in Korean TV dramas such as “Jewel in the Palace,” and Korean traditional rice cake cooking.

The Game Infinity Room will operate a special lounge where visitors can check out demonstrations of various Korean games. Set across from the Game Infinity Room, the Korean Cultural Center has set up models and will project audio-visual images depicting Korea's representative cultural symbol in a modern sense. Both are expected to envisage the images of 'Cultural Korea' and 'Tourism Korea' in the minds of APEC participants.