Sancheong traditional medicine fair kicks off

An exposition on South Korea's traditional medicine opened on Friday to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the publication of Korea's traditional medical encyclopedia, its organizer said Friday. The World Traditional Medicine Fair & Festival kicked off in Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province, 288 kilometers south of Seoul, for its 45-day run until Oct. 20, according to the organizing committee. Under the theme of "Traditional Medicine: Greater Treasure for the Future," the expo aims to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of "Donguibogam," Korea's traditional medical encyclopedia. The fair is also aimed at promoting the value of Korea's traditional medicine globally, it added. It is co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the South Gyeongsang provincial government and the county office of Sancheong. "I hope that the fair will successfully herald its message to the globe," Lee Jae-geun, head of the Sancheong county office, said in a welcoming speech. About 1,600 distinguished guests including Health Minister Jin Young and foreign ambassadors participated in the opening ceremony, according to the organizer. An array of programs and cultural events are in store to promote people's understanding of Korea's traditional medicine. Academic conference will be held as well to shed light on the value of "Donguibogam," the organizer added. A United Nations education and cultural body designated 2013 as the "Donguibogam Year," and the book was recognized by UNESCO in July 2009 as an item of world documentary heritage.