- Around 50 U.S. Contingent members also view special Korean Wave exhibition as well as permanent Korean modern and contemporary history exhibition today

- Minister PARK Bo Gyoon: “We planned the invitation and events to make the alliance between Korea and the United States more personal.”

- U.S. Museum Delegation Head Ryan Yee: “I’d like to thank the museum for its hospitality and this opportunity to see the ROK-U.S. relationship from new perspectives.”

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the Ministry and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (MUCH) invited about 50 guides and adult leaders of the U.S. Jamboree Contingent now staying in Pyeongtaek to visit the special exhibition on the 70^th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance now on display at MUCH. The invitation and exhibition were intended to solidify the friendship between the two countries.

Culture Minister PARK Bo Gyoon said, “The invitation to this event was planned to help the ROK-U.S. alliance that exists in the military, security, economic, cultural and other fields expand and develop on a private level as well. I hope that bilateral relations will be further strengthened going forward.”

Before the visit, Brad Valdyke, the Head of the U.S. Scout Jamboree Contingent, expressed his anticipation saying, “The 70th Anniversary of the ROK-U.S. Alliance Exhibition is a wonderful opportunity. Our adult staff has been working hard to help our Scout youth. This will be a wonderful time for them to relax and enjoy their visit in the ROK.” 

The American delegation received a warm welcome when arriving at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. A curator guided them through the special exhibition on the ROK-U.S. alliance which looks back at the 70^th anniversary from various angles. The group also enjoyed visiting a special exhibit on the Korean Wave and the permanent exhibit that encapsulates the modern and contemporary history of Korea’s development. Afterward, the museum organized a luncheon for the special guests as a token of appreciation and presented them gifts pertaining to the ROK-U.S. alliance.

After viewing the exhibition, Ryan Yee, the head of the Seattle branch of the Boy Scouts of America who led the visiting delegation, said, “I’d like to thank the museum for its hospitality and this opportunity to see the ROK-U.S. relationship from new perspectives.”

The Special Exhibition on the 70th Anniversary of the ROK-U.S. Alliance displays items related to the first treaty signed between the two countries 141 years ago, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Korea and the United States (May 22, 1882); the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (October 1, 1953), the 70-year-old military security agreement; and economic aid provided to Korea from the United States. The Korean Wave special exhibition showcases its development by demonstrating how Korean society has actively absorbed popular culture from the United States and elsewhere overseas and recreated it anew. The permanent exhibition covers major developments in Korea’s modern and contemporary history, including politics, the economy, culture and diplomacy.