The Korean artifact, presented to Los Angeles 40 years ago, was on display at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday after the diplomatic gift was removed from LA City Hall.
Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials have announced the newly restored turtle ship, a gift from Busan, South Korea, as the city moved artefacts to create an Olympic flag room within city hall.
“The turtle ship is a powerful symbol of lasting friendship between Busan and the Korean community,” Bus said in a statement.
Contributions enrich our cities every day. ”
“We look forward to visitors from all over the world watching this artifact, especially as a venue for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, as well as participating in events at the convention center,” Bass added.
The mayor led the artifact announcement along with city council members John Lee and Heather Hutt, as well as members of the Korean American community. The celebration also featured a traditional Korean drum performance by the Hwarang Youth Foundation.
Lee, representing District 12, which covers the northwest community of the San Fernando Valley, is a member of South Korea’s only city council, and the turtle ship is a “generous gift”;
A “strong symbol” of friendship and cultural exchange between LA and its sister cities, Korea and sister cities.
However, the Korean-American community has criticized the plan that Bass and the city council approved of a decades-old plan to move artifacts, calling it “very insensitive.”
“That’s not good. It’s very rude,” said former Koreatown Neighborhood Council President Scott Sous. “When our diplomatic artifacts go to the convention centre, it is no longer a diplomatic artifact. It becomes a very rude display item for the Korean community.”
The Ministry of Culture has formed a specialized team of parents and art handlers.
Perform repairs and reinstall gifts.
According to the Cultural Bureau, the turtle ship received restoration and conservation treatment nearly 20 years ago.
The city allocated $500,000 for restoration and conservation, with some of the funds also addressing the marble floors and walls behind the City Hall exhibition.
According to Bass’ office, while the city was relocating gifts to the convention center, the mayor held a community meeting to share updates on its efforts. From September 2024, Mayor’s International Bureau
We worked with Korean leaders to cooperate at the presentation ceremony.
Meanwhile, President Robert Anne of the Los Angeles South Korean Federation supported the city’s decision to move the artifacts.
“(It) ensures that the gifts from Busan are more accessible and enjoyable by a larger audience,” Ahn said in a statement.
Kim Weedmark, general manager of the convention center, added that he is excited to house such a “valuable gift.”
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