Hanbok Controversy Erupts as Gyeongbuk Cultural Tourism Organization Mislabels Chinese Attire as Korean Traditional Dress

The Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation has sparked controversy after operating a digital display board in the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju that introduced traditional clothing from various countries, but mistakenly labeled a Chinese-style outfit worn by a figure in a China introduction screen as Hanbok.

According to the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation on today (the 15th), the corporation recently installed and operated the "POST APEC Media Wall" digital display in the plaza near the floating performance stage inside the Bomun Tourist Complex, during which it broadcasted Hanbok as being Chinese clothing.

The country introduced on the digital display was China, and the figure's attire was also Chinese-style clothing.

Nevertheless, the outfit was introduced as "Hanbok," raising concerns that it could cause misunderstandings that Hanbok is Chinese clothing.

This digital display is a facility that was installed at the Huban Square in the Bomun Tourist Complex during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju last year.

The corporation was recently relocating and reinstalling the digital display and was running content introducing the attire of the 21 APEC participating countries.

A local resident who witnessed the scene pointed out, "At a time when China is already attempting to incorporate Hanbok into its traditional costume, this is content that could provoke misunderstandings."

In response, an official from the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation explained, "We have been conducting test operations since a few days ago, and a broadcasting error occurred. We have currently suspended the broadcast and plan to resume it after making corrections."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.