President Park Geun-hye opened the New Year by attending a musical concert at the Seoul Arts Center on January 3. It has now become her second official function of the year, following a visit to the Seoul National Cemetery on the first day of the year.




The musical concert had two subjects: “Tradition and modernity in harmony” before the intermission and “A new era of hope” afterward. In addition to some renowned figures from the cultural and arts scene, family members from multi-cultural families, bereaved relatives of ROKS Cheonan personnel and victims of the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island bombardment also attended the event. The total number of attendees was nearly 2,000.

Upon her arrival, the fully packed theater gave the president an enthusiastic round of applause. She greeted them with a wave of her hand and a big smile.



During the concert, gugak singer Song So-hee sang a folk song with the National Orchestra of Korea. It was followed by a singing of Arirang and then Egberto Gismonti’s Frevo was showcased by Korean jazz star Nah Youn-sun. The second half opened with the Voice of Spring waltz performed by the KBS Symphony. Soprano Im Sun-hye, tenor Jung Ho-yun and pianist Paik Kun-woo gave performances, too.


By Jeon Han, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr