1. The Consulate General of the ROK in Milan, together with the Jeonju city government and the Hanji Industry Support Center, joined the “L’artigiano in Fiera” (craftsmen's exhibition) held in Milan from November 29 to December 8, and hosted a hanji exhibition.

o The hanji exhibition showcased traditional and modernized hanji, as well as a range of hanji products. The hanji exhibition alone attracted some 70,000 visitors for ten days.

2. On the sidelines of the hanji exhibition, a Korean hanji export company concluded an agreement on hanji export with Italy’s largest company in the industry of products for the restoration of cultural properties, through the mediation of the Consulate General of the ROK in Milan. Under the agreement, high-quality hand-made hanji used in the restoration of cultural properties, including ancient books and paintings, will be exported to the European market for the first time.

3. The hanji exhibition was held as part of public diplomacy efforts to improve Korea’s image by winning the hearts and minds of foreigners. In particular, the hanji export agreement contributed to letting the European people with little knowledge of hanji know the excellence of Korean hanji and traditional culture and establishing a bridgehead for further exports to the European market. 


              Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation