Building Dinosaur City Foundation Based on Success of "Gobi Desert Dinosaur Expedition in Mongolia"

The '2013 Hwaseong International Dinosaur Expedition Symposium' concluded, with 30 paleontologists from 10 countries worldwide, including the United States, gathered for a three-day program to present the achievements of the 'Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition Project' conducted in the Gobi Desert from 2006 to 2010.

Through the Korea-Mongolia dinosaur expedition project, Hwaseong City secured 694 dinosaur fossil specimens totaling 15 tons. At this symposium, replicas of 'Tarbosaurus' dinosaur fossils—the ancestor of Tyrannosaurus, which is well-known to the general public—and the original 'Tarbosaurus' dinosaur fossils discovered during the 2009 Mongolia dinosaur expedition project were restored and displayed in their original state, drawing attention.

Mayor Chae In-seok of Hwaseong City, concluding the '2013 Hwaseong International Dinosaur Expedition Symposium' on the 6th, stated, "With the discovery of dinosaur egg fossils in 1999, the commencement of the Korea-Mongolia dinosaur expedition project in 2006, and the discovery of Korea's first horned dinosaur, Coreaceratops hwaseongensis, in 2008—Hwaseong City has deep ties with dinosaurs. By successfully concluding this symposium, we have laid the foundation to become a dinosaur city," and added, "Building on the achievements of the 'Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition Project,' we will further enhance Hwaseong's cultural appeal through such efforts as museum construction and contribute to the promotion of ecological tourism."

Professor Louis Jacobs of Southern Methodist University in the United States, who participated in this symposium, introduced 'Dinosaurs and Museums in Africa' and stated, "Dinosaurs in any country not only inspire people's sense of wonder but also serve as a source of regional pride, educational resources, and attractions for the general public," highly evaluating the potential of dinosaur fossils as cultural content.

Additionally, Dr. Yoichi Kobayashi of Hokkaido University Museum in Japan stated, "The Korea-Mongolia international dinosaur expedition has contributed to forming scientific networking among paleontologists," and said, "Hokkaido University Museum simultaneously provides research, exhibition, and educational opportunities to Hokkaido University students, and through this holds a unique position in Japan in terms of cultivating the next generation of vertebrate paleontologists in Japan."

The Hwaseong City Creative Vision Department said, "The results of the 'Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition' unveiled at this symposium received attention from many paleontologists," and added, "We are conducting specimen work on the dinosaur fossils secured through the expedition, and papers containing research results will be published soon."

Meanwhile, the city concluded a memorandum of understanding for exchange and cooperation with the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, Canada during this symposium, and agreed to promote mutual exchange exhibitions and joint research on matters of international interest.