To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the 'Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival in Kumamoto’ is scheduled to be held on the 25th and 26th of this month at the Terusa Hotel in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Co-hosted by the Resident Korean Association in Japan Kumamoto Prefectural Headquarters, the Kyushu Korean Association in Japan, and the Kumamoto Korea-Japan Friendship Association, and organized by the Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival, this event is expected to be a precious opportunity for Kumamoto Prefecture and Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province), which established a sister relationship 42 years ago and have accumulated exchanges over a long period, to further solidify their friendship and bond.

Kim Hyun-tae, Chairman of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, stated, "I sincerely hope that we deepen the understanding and friendship between the two countries and open the path for cooperation and mutual prosperity towards the future together." Shim Hyun-soo, Chairman of the Kyushu Korean Association in Japan, said, "This event will be a meaningful venue for exchange where more profound and closer relationships can be built between the citizens of the two countries."

On the 25th, the day of the vigil event along with the commemoration ceremony, a Korea-Japan Food Culture Festival will be held in the Sakaedori shopping street in Kumamoto City. Korean general citizens participating from Chungcheongnam-do, along with a large number of Japanese citizens who love Korea, Korean culture, and K-Food due to the Hallyu boom, will participate to eat and enjoy the food of both nations and spend time further understanding each other through culture. Jōza Takeshi, the executive committee chairman, stated, "We prepared this to strengthen the friendly relationship between the two countries through mutual respect and cooperation among the future generation."

Furthermore, about 500 Japanese and Korean participants are expected to attend the cultural exchange performance event on October 26th. The program will feature diverse Korea-Japan cultural performances, including a Taiko drum performance by Yoshizuka in Kumamoto Prefecture, a Taekwondo demonstration by young Japanese students, a performance by the Chungcheongnam-do K-POP High School delegation, an Arirang performance by students from Musashigaoka Junior High School brass band in Kumamoto Prefecture, a high school dance team from Kumamoto Prefecture, and a traditional performance by the Chungnam National Music Orchestra from Buyeo-gun, Korea.

Kim Hee-jung, the preparation committee chairwoman, said, "There were many difficulties preparing for the event, but I hope that through this event, the Korea-Japan friendship will become stronger and tourism and economic exchanges will be further revitalized."

It is hoped that the events commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan normalization will contribute significantly to the development of both Korea and Japan by mutually respecting each other's positions and strengthening regional networks between the two countries.

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