<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-weight: bold;">CHA Launches a shuttle bus “Exploring Korean Legation” </span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-weight: bold;">for DMV residents in US</span></p><br><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Free shuttle bus services & exploration programs to disseminate of the value of </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">'K-Shared Heritage' within the Korean-American community in the United States </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-</span></p><br> The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA; Administrator: Choi Eung-chon) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF; Chair: Kim Jung-hee) provide the shuttle bus service "Exploring the Old Korean Legation" and the exploration program "Encountering Korea in the U.S." targeting overseas Koreans residing near Washington D.C., with the aim of enhancing the convenience and utilization of the Old Korean Legation building located in Logan Circle, Washington D.C., USA.<br><br>The Old Korean Legation, originally used as a diplomatic mission during the Joseon era and the early years of the Korean Empire, holds a significant place in our history. Acquired in 1891 and forcefully sold by Japan in 1910, it encapsulates approximately 20 years of our history. Subsequently, the Legation building became privately owned in the United States until its purchase by the CHA in October 2012. Over a span of five years, the Legation underwent data collection, restoration, and remodeling, reopening its doors as a history museum in May 2018. It continues to be actively utilized as a prominent 'K-Shared Heritage.' As of the end of 2023, a total of 20,270 individuals (13,371 Koreans and 6,899 locals) have visited the Legation building.<br><br>*K-Shared Heritage: Our cultural heritage that shares historical and cultural values with the local host country.<br><br>In 2024, to enhance accessibility to the Old Korean Legation, the OKCHF's U.S. office, the K-Community Center (Chairman Tae Hwan Kim), and NAKS - Washington Association for Korean Schools (President Eunice K Chung) will collaborate to operate the "Exploring the Old Korean Legation" shuttle bus. Starting from February and continuing until November, the shuttle bus will be available on the second Wednesday and Saturday mornings of each month for overseas Koreans residing in the DMV - Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas (Korean American individuals and Korean school teenagers). This collaborative effort is expected to bring the Legation, which shares historical and cultural values between Korea and the U.S., closer to the local Korean community.<br><br>Additionally, in the spring (May) and fall (October) of this year, there are plans to conduct the "Encountering Korea in the U.S." exploration program, covering the Philadelphia area in Pennsylvania. This program will allow participants to experience the history of Korea-U.S. friendship by visiting overseas cultural heritage sites, including the Legation and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House, in the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia regions. The program is a collaborative effort between the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation's U.S. office, the Washington Korean Community Center, and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (President George J.S. Choe).<br><br>As part of proactive administration, the "Exploring the Old Korean Legation" shuttle bus service and the "Encountering Korea in the U.S." exploration program will both be provided free of charge. The CHA and the OKCHF will continue their efforts to expand the foundation for our overseas compatriots to appreciate the value of 'K-Shared Heritage' within the United States, including the Old Korean Legation.<br><br><br><br>Division: International Cooperation Division, Heritage Promotion Bureau / Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation U.S. office<br>Contact persons: Baek Hyun Min (042-481-4734)<br> Park Ji Yeon (042-481-4738)<br> Kang Im San (+1-202-844-3302)<br> Cho Haengri (+1-202-844-3304)<br> <br><p></p>