Free admission at aT Center's Hall 2 in Yangjae-dong on Saturday and Sunday
Children's Musical Festa and Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo Children's Choir Festival also held
The 4th Korea Children's Expo, designed to give children of the next generation hope and a wide range of hands-on experiences, opened Saturday at aT Center's Hall 2 in Yangjae-dong, Seoul.
The expo is co-hosted by the Korea Children and Youth Culture Institute, The Herald Business and The Korea Herald. More than 40 organizations and companies are participating or providing sponsorship, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Interior and Safety, and the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Attendees at the opening ceremony included Byeon Jae-un, chairman of the Korea Children and Youth Culture Institute; Choi Jin-young, chief executive of Herald Media Group; Kang Seok-ju, chairman of the first-half Health and Welfare Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and head of the organizing committee; Ma Chae-suk, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Women and Family Office; Park Jeong-suk, chief executive of the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family; Gu Jeong-ju, president of the Seoul Public Childcare Center Association; and Lee Hee-seon, president of the Seoul Home-Based Childcare Center Association.
Kang, serving as organizing committee head for the third consecutive year, said in his opening remarks that he was honored to lead what has grown into the country's largest children's expo for the fourth year running. "I hope this will be a precious time for children to freely showcase their dreams and talents, and to set their sights on a bigger world through diverse experiences and learning," he said.
Choi said in his welcoming address that society as a whole must sustain its attention and support to help children grow into future leaders with strong character and creative thinking in a rapidly changing era. "The media will also spare no effort in its continued interest and encouragement for children's healthy growth and happy future," he said.
Byeon said safety is the most important foundation for children to grow up healthy and happy. "I hope this expo will be a meaningful opportunity for children to learn the importance of safety and develop the lifestyle habits to protect themselves," he said.
Ma introduced a range of child and family policies pursued by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. "We will continue to expand policies in childcare, education, play and culture so that every child is respected without discrimination and can grow up safely," she said, adding that the city would do its utmost to make Seoul a great place to raise children.
Gu said parents and teachers caring for children on the ground would join forces to help the next generation grow up healthy in a wider world.
The 4th Korea Children's Expo runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission. Side events include the 2nd Seoul Children's Musical Festa and the 1st Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo Children's Choir Festival.
7toy7@heraldcorp.com
