Cheongju National Maritime Science Museum Unveiled... South Korea's Largest Digital Exhibition Hall

[Anchor]

The National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum, which Chungcheongbuk-do successfully secured after four attempts starting in 2010, has been unveiled to local residents. Even in Chungbuk, a region without a sea, visitors can directly experience and learn about the ocean through South Korea's largest digital exhibition space.

CJB reporter Park Eon has the story.

[Reporter]

The National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum built in Cheongju Millennium Town.

Affiliated with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, it is a national complex cultural facility that finally opened its doors after Chungbuk pursued its establishment for over a decade.

With a total project cost of 98.3 billion won, the facility features one basement floor, three ground floors, and a total floor area of 15,000 square meters, designed in the shape of a massive Panokseon (traditional Korean warship).

The science museum consists of the Future Maritime Observatory, a digital aquarium, and a children's marine experience hall.

A total of 74 exhibition and experiential contents are prepared, taking about five hours just to tour the entire facility.

At the Future Maritime Observatory, visitors can easily and engagingly learn the principles of various marine energies, including offshore wind, tidal power, wave power, and tidal current power.

Also provided are a model implementing the operation of an energy-independent island utilizing renewable energy and an experience of how large ships minimize rolling.

The digital aquarium, the symbol of the Cheongju science museum, boasts a grand scale.

The country's largest media art aquarium vividly renders the marine ecosystem that changes according to water depth through video.

[Kim Ji-hyun / Head of Exhibition Operations Division, National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum : It is built on the largest scale in the country, measuring 20 meters wide and 12 meters high, and visitors can encounter a total of 33 corals and 57 deep-sea creatures.]

Experiential programs such as listening to the sounds of beluga whales and blue whales or using claws to harvest seabed minerals add to the appeal for children and family visitors.

Even in Chungbuk, which has no sea, people can now directly see and experience various marine science contents and broaden their understanding of the ocean.

[Nam Ki-heon / Director, National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum : With the establishment of the National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum, in terms of nurturing children's dreams of marine science, awakening future scientists, and creating opportunities for them to take on new challenges in entrepreneurship, career paths, and employment...]

The National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum first revealed its operation plans and exhibition contents through a residents' reporting session.

[Shin Yong-han / Governor of Chungbuk : I earnestly hope that it will be utilized as a space where residents can enjoy together, and we will make efforts to provide generous support along with the city and the Office of Education to make it even more vibrant.]

The annual operating cost is around 10 billion won, with nearly 100 personnel set to work there in the future, including 58 employees and 35 safety management personnel.

The National Cheongju Maritime Science Museum will officially open in September.

(Video by Park Hee-seong / CJB)

CJB Park Eon
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.