A nationwide campaign for Jeju to be designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of nature has started in earnest.
The Jeju New7Wonders of nature Designation Nationwide Commission (Chief Jung Woon Chan, a former prime minister) started its official activity with an opening ceremony on Dec. 13 at the Seoul branch of the commission, located in Nonhyun-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
The Seoul branch will function as a base camp for three purposes; drawing national attention to the Jeju New7Wonders of Nature Designation Campaign, raising governmental support, and spreading encouragement nationwide.
Chief Jung Woon Chan said, “designation as the New Seven Wonders would class up not only Jeju but also Korea and enhance its brand power,” explaining that it would have an unimaginable economic ripple effect.
Governor Woo Geun Min of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province requested support and cooperation, saying, “when the Seven Ancient Wonders were designated, presidents of the countries endeavored to attract support by official trips abroad. After the designation, the number of tourists increased up to 86 percent,” and added “this campaign is for the whole national community. Jeju is now ranked 15th among 28. One hundred million votes will lead to its designation.”
Swiss non-profit organization The New7Wonders, which issued the Seven Ancient Wonders in 2007, conducts the voting for the New Seven Wonders through phone calls and Internet votes.
Three hundred people participated in the opening ceremony of the Nationwide Commission. These included Minister of Unification Hyun In Taek, National Brand Committee Chair Lee Bae Yong, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports Mo Chul Min, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province superintendent of education Yang Sung Eon, and the president of Jeju National University Heo Hyang Jin, among many others.
(Translation by Erin Ah-nam Kim) <Jeju Weekly>
<Kang Young Jin, Jeju Ilbo re editor@jejuweekly.com ⓒ Jeju Weekly All rights reserved>
