This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. On October 23rd, 2020, “Primorsky Aquarium” – Branch of the NSCMB FEB RAS held a solemn ceremony dedicated to this anniversary with opening an exhibition and launching an audio tour of the Aquarium in Korean. The number of tourists from the Republic of Korea to Vladivostok reached 300,000 in 2019, and many of them visited “Primorsky Aquarium”. The scientific relations between NSCMB FEB RAS and the Korean scientific and educational institutions are also getting stronger. Since 2016, research studies have been conducted in a joint laboratory on the basis of NSCMB FEB RAS and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK). Therefore, the administration of NSCMB FEB RAS and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vladivostok, in view of the anniversary and the established close relations, agreed to organize an exhibition on the platform of “Primorsky Aquarium”, which was supported by the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RF in Vladivostok.
Visiting guests of the exhibition hall of the «Primorsky Aquarium».
Mrs. Elena S. Ramus, the Director of “Primorsky Aquarium”, made a welcoming speech at the opening of the exhibition. Then, the floor was given to Mr. O Sung Hwang, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Vladivostok, who expressed his gratitude to the Aquarium for “providing an excellent place for the exhibition and for actively supporting the implementation of joint projects”. After that, Mr. Andrei P. Brovarets, the Head of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Vladivostok, and Mr. Choi Hyun Suk, the Military Attache at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Moscow, also said their congratulatory words.
Welcoming speech of the Director of the «Primorsky Aquarium», Mrs. Elena S. Ramus.
The Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Vladivostok — Mr. O Sung Hwang.
The following persons were also invited to the ceremonial opening of the exhibition and a model of the Korean warship Geobukseon: O.V. Shakirova, the Head of the International Relations Department of the Agency for International Cooperation of Primorsky Krai, and S.V. Gorbatyuk, the Head of the Department of International Military Cooperation of the RF Pacific Navy. The invited guests opened the exhibition and the model of the medieval Korean warship Geobukseon at a solemn music, while photographers and a videographer were taking memorable photographs and video records. Geobukseon is the first ironclad warship in the world. According to Mr. O Sung Hwan, “for Korean people, Geobukseon has the same symbolic meaning as the double-headed eagle for Russians, they have something in common, and they are depicted on the coins of their countries.” Ancient engineers borrowed many technical solutions from nature. The prototype of Geobukseon in the wildlife is considered to be predatory freshwater turtles encased in hard shells. The armored, unhurried, and stable Geobukseon fully matched the image of a battle turtle. This historical allusion is consistent with the main subject of “Primorsky Aquarium” exhibits dedicated to aquatic organisms.
Ceremonial opening of the model of the Korean warship Geobukseon,
The second part of the event was the launch of an audio tour in Korean for foreign visitors of the Aquarium. In 2020, the Administration of the Gangwon Province has composed and presented an audio tour of “Primorsky Aquarium” in Korean in memory of the long years of cooperation and friendship between the Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea, and Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation. A welcoming speech was made by a representative of the Gangwon Province Administration, Mr. Lee Shin Woo. During the event, it was announced about the special commemorative plaque installed in the “Primorsky Aquarium” park. The guests of the event walked through the exhibits of the Aquarium, listening to the audio tour in Korean and Russian.
Commemorative plaque in honor of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea,
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was also attended by Ms. Park Ji Min, the Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Prof. I.V. Duyzen, the Acting Director of NSCMB FEB RAS, Dr. E.V. Pustovoit, the Director of the Oriental Institute, FEFU, Mr. I.V. Goryachev, the Second Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RF in Vladivostok, Dr. Konstantin A. Lutaenko, Deputy Director of NSCMB FEB RAS for International Cooperation, as well as the staff of the international cooperation departments of “Primorsky Aquarium” and NSCMB FEB RAS, other employees, and invited guests.The parties exchanged souvenirs and gifts, expressing their wishes for further cooperation between the scientific, educational, and diplomatic institutions of Russia and the Republic of Korea.
The special devices for listening to the audio guide.
The exhibition, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea, was built with the participation of the exposition and international cooperation departments of “Primorsky Aquarium”; Ms. M.Yu. Vitman and Mr. A.E. Ryzhkov made a great contribution to the preparation of the exhibition, the opening ceremony, and reconciliation of translations of the audio tour and texts.
International Cooperation Department, NSCMB FEB RAS
Geobukseon, also known as the Turtle Ship, was the first ironclad warship in the world. Its unique design made Geobukseon a formidable weapon. The hull of the ship was made of thick durable wood up to 30 cm thick. The length of the ship was 34 m, and the width was about 10 m. The crew consisted of 130 people. The ship was equipped with both oars and two sails on a folding mast. The closed deck and sides were sheathed with armor made of iron sheets, reinforced with long and sharp spikes to repel boarding attacks. The ship's crew could watch the enemy and shoot, while remaining invisible from the outside. The wide hull ensured stability when firing. The guns located along the sides, fore and aft, gave all-round fire. A gun even fired from the mouth of the dragon's head - the bow decoration of the ship. The feed, shaped like a turtle's tail, also had cannon ports.