N. Korean culture officials attend exhibition in Tokyo

Asian Economic News, July 9, 2001

TOKYO, July 4 Kyodo

A team of five North Korean culture officials attended Tuesday a reception in Tokyo for an exhibition of art works by Japanese painter and UNESCO goodwill ambassador Ikuo Hirayama.

North Korea is currently making preparations to submit Koguryo Mural Tomb as a cultural site on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

The five officials include Ri Ju Baeg, head of North Korea's department in charge of cultural asset preservation. They were invited to Japan by Hirayama, whose works depicting North Korea are on display at the exhibition held at a department store.

Li expressed gratitude to Hirayama for his cooperative spirit and sincere efforts on behalf of North Korea's cultural preservation.

The North Korean officials visited the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music's section specializing in preservation and repair work, and are scheduled to visit Nara and Kyoto from Wednesday. Hirayama is a former head of the university.