'Third Marine Cluster Festival' Draws Enthusiastic Public Response

[Financial News] The Busan Dongsam Innovation District Marine Cluster Council of Institution Heads (Chair Ryoo Dong Keun, president of Korea Maritime & Ocean University) said on the 2nd that the 'Third Marine Cluster Festival,' held for three days from the 30th of last month at Amir Park in Yeongdo District, drew an enthusiastic response from the public.
Now in its third iteration, the festival was held in conjunction with the Yeongdo Bridge Festival under the theme 'Connecting the Sea to Open the Future: Discovering the Maritime Capital in Yeongdo.'
Large numbers of Marine Cluster institution heads and employees, along with members of the public, attended the opening ceremony, held on the outdoor stage at Amir Park on the first day of the event, the 30th of last month.
Following opening remarks by Chair Ryoo Dong Keun, Cho Seung-hwan, the National Assembly member for the district, congratulated the organizers on the festival in a video message. The participating institution heads then staged a 'Declaration of Partnership' performance, joining puzzle-shaped foam boards, each bearing one character from '3rd Marine Cluster Festival,' into a single display. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together through inter-institutional cooperation to shape the future of 'Busan, the Maritime Capital.'
A results-sharing session held throughout the event showcased the major achievements and roles of the 17 Marine Cluster institutions.
The walk-through exhibition space, which visitors explored along a designated route, grouped the institutions under six themes, including 'Nurturing the People of the Sea' and 'Protecting the Sea,' and depicted Yeongdo's four bridges linked together.
Promotional booths for KMOU, Busan Port Fire Station, and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute were set up next to the results-sharing session.
An open-house event, giving members of the public the chance to visit maritime institutions in person, was held on the 31st of last month. Experience programs at five institutions included a yacht ride at KMOU; a tour of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) exhibition hall for marine research equipment; exhibition visits and pollution-response training at the National Maritime Museum and the Marine Environment Education Institute; and science classes at the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service.
That afternoon, the stage at Amir Park hosted busking, fusion gugak performances, and a seafood-themed magic concert. Side events throughout the festival, including face painting, tarot card experiences, stilt-walking clown performances, and traditional folk games, added to the fun.
Chair Ryoo said, “I am grateful that so many citizens visited the Marine Cluster and saw and experienced the institutions’ roles and achievements up close,” and added, “Going forward, the Marine Cluster institutions will continue to join forces to shape the future of Busan as a maritime capital that grows together with the region.”
The Dongsam Innovation District Marine Cluster Council of Institution Heads has 14 tenant institutions as members: Korea Maritime & Ocean University, the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, the National Maritime Museum, the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, the Busan Metropolitan City Port Fire Station, Busan Maritime High School, Busan Coast Guard Station, the Central Maritime Special Rescue Unit, the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, the Korea Maritime Institute, the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology, the Marine Environment Education Institute, and the Marine Environment Survey and Research Institute. It also has three supporting institutions as members: Busan Metropolitan City, the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Yeongdo District Office. 
[email protected] Byun Ok-hwan Reporter