1. The Foreign Ministry, together with the Cultural Heritage Administration, held a symposium between the Republic of Korea and Italy on the use of hanji, traditional Korean paper, in the restoration of cultural properties. The event came as part of public diplomacy programs in commemoration of President Park Geun-hye�s visit to Italy and the 130th anniversary of the ROK-Italy diplomatic relations in 2014. ◦ At the symposium, the ROK�s National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage made a presentation on the characteristics of hanji as material used in the preservation and restoration as well as cases of the use of hanji in preservation of ancient documents. The institute also presented Italy's Institute of the Pathology of the Book with samples of three types of hanji that are used in the restoration and preservation of Korea�s documentary heritage. ◦ The Italian institute will conduct a test to see whether the hanji samples can be used in the restoration and preservation of ancient documents and paintings of the Western world. 2. On the occasion of the symposium, the Cultural Heritage Administration of the ROK and the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities of Italy concluded a memorandum of understanding calling for stronger bilateral cooperation in wide range of fields, including UNESCO, intangible cultural property, cultural heritage think tanks and museums. 3. The symposium is seen to have played a big role in promoting hanji and exploring the possibility of its exports to Europe. In addition, the government, through its active efforts, helped seek an opportunity for hanji exports to the global market of preservation science, raising the possibility of hanji�s entry into the European market. 4. In June, the ROK government held in Milan, Italy, an international workshop for European restoration experts on the use of hanji in the restoration of cultural property. The government, in cooperation with provincial government agencies and hanji makers, will promote hanji products and continue other multi-faceted efforts in order to pave the way for hanji exports to Europe. [from MOFAT website]