The Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) and the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA) have teamed together to present a photo exhibition of North Korea’s scenic Mt Geumgangsan (Diamond Mountain) from August 13 to August 18, 2004 at the KCCLA building in the mid-Wilshire district.



Co-sponsored by the Korea Times, the Korea Daily News, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Americas Division), and Smile Tour and Travel, the Geumgangsan Photo Exhibition was created to stimulate interest in tourism to this mysterious part of the world.



Because Geumgangsan, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful mountain range on the Korean peninsula, is located within North Korea’s forbidden borders, the region has developed an air of mystery. Although North Korea is generally off-limits for American travelers, two- and three-day tour programs to Geumgangsan are available as trip extensions for all visitors to South Korea, regardless of nationality. In July, one-day tour programs became available for the first time ever. The KNTO and KCCLA anticipate the photo exhibition will feed the growing public demand for information about this area.

Geumgangsan opened to traffic from South Korea in 1998, with an innovative cruise program operated by Hyundai Merchant Marine. Presently passengers travel on much quicker and more convenient overland tour programs. Since the inception of Geumgangsan tours, the mountain range has welcomed nearly 700,000 visitors originating from South Korea.



In conjunction with the photo exhibition, the Korean Cultural Center will also be holding a film festival of popular Korean movies. The films, which are shown free to the general public, include “The Way Home” (to be aired August 14, 2004 at 2:00 pm), “Strokes of Fire” (to be aired August 16, 2004 at 7:00 pm), and “Married to the Mafia” (to be aired August 18, 2004 at 7:00 pm).

The Geumgangsan Photo Exhibition is free to the public and will be open from 11 am – 5 pm on August 13, 10 am – 1 pm on August 14, and 10 am – 5 pm from August 16-18, 2004. The Grand Opening Ceremony, which will be held from 11 am – noon on August 13 is open to the general public. Reservations are not required and free parking is available. For more information about the programs of KCCLA, visit the website at www.kccla.org. To receive travel information to Korea, contact the KNTO at www.tour2korea.com.